Live Music Project illuminates Music of the Silver Screen at Fairfield University's Quick Center for the Arts March 13

Live Music Project illuminates Music of the Silver Screen at Fairfield University's Quick Center for the Arts March 13

Silent films, music of the Silver Screen and lessons in how they intersect: Brought to you by the Live Music Project, Friday, March 13 at 8:00 p.m. at Fairfield University's Quick Center for the Arts.

With "Music of the Silver Screen/Silent Movie Night," the Live Music Project turns down the lights, sharpens their instruments and dissects how movies go together with projected film and a live orchestra. The focus is on silent films - both quirky and frightening - with plenty of material for families and the serious concertgoer.

Two well-known pieces, which are now indelibly associated with films by Stanley Kubrick and Oliver Stone, give audiences a chance to experience the power of "2001: A Space Odyssey" and its legendary bold transition that incorporates a bone thrown by a caveman to spaceships twirling in perfect synchronization to Johann Strauss' "Blue Danube Waltz;" and the emotional impact of the mournful tones of Samuel Barber's "Adagio for Strings," famously featured in "Platoon."

In addition, there are scenes from "The Thief of Baghdad," with a swashbuckling and magic-rope-climbing Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. from 1924, when Baghdad wasn't synonymous with war, but rather with the mysteries of the Orient. Lavish sets abound.

Live Music Project co-founder Daniel Smith lives in Baghdad as a journalist and reports, "I was lent a score by the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra for our concert. It is a piece of music based on traditional Iraqi themes by Baghdad composer M. Amin Ezzat."

A small selection of odd and fascinating newsreels about prohibition show the development of how music and movies were used, as "talkies" appeared and speech began to creep onto the reel.

A silent Western, "Hell's Hinges," demonstrates how different music can be applied to the same scene with dramatically different results. Two original compositions battle for the audience's favor. The Live Music Project's co-founder and solo violinist Netta Hadari composed the music.

Also featured is F. W. Murnau's (the director of the classic, "Nosferatu") disturbing and visually stunning 1926 "Faust" about the Devil and God battling over the Earth's dominion, with original eerie music by Smith. In a bet to win the earth, the Devil tempts Faust with ultimate knowledge and tricks him into selling his soul. With fascinating expressionistic special effects and images that will stay with you, it is a truly remarkable film.

Tickets are $35 and are available online at fairfield.edu/quick or by calling the Box Office at (203) 254-4010. The toll free number is 1-877-ARTS-396. Sign up at fairfield.edu/quick to receive e-mails for special offers and discounts for Quick Center shows.

Posted On: 03-03-2009 10:03 AM

Volume: 41 Number: 223