Silent Film Scores for Social Justice

I had the tremendous privilege to receive a commission by John Schaefer of WNYC’s New Sounds to write a half-hour of music for silent film scores, to be presented at their yearly live series of live silent film scores. 

This was a great opportunity to continue the work I had already started with the live scores of The Immigrant in 2015 and Shoes in 2019. I chose to score three short films, two by the first-ever female film director, Alice Guy-Blaché — The consequences of Feminism (1906), and Algie the Miner (1912), and one by Harold M.Shaw — The Land Beyond the Sunset (1912). Guy-Blache’s films tackle genre identity in a humorous and yet profound way. Shaw’s movie is a heart-wrenching depiction of poverty in pre great depression in New York City.

The premiere took place at the Winter Garden at Brookfield Place in Manhattan on January 22nd, 2020. I had an incredible band, Chloe Rowlands on Trumpet and Flugelhorn, Emily Sgouros on Vibraphone, Marcus Strickland on Tenor Sax and Bass Clarinet, Martha Kato on Piano, Miles Okazaki on Guitar, Rodrigo Recabarren on Drums, Roman Filiu on Alto and Soprano Sax, Flute and Clarinet, Ryan Keberle on Trombone, and Sara Caswell on Violin.

You can hear part of the performance on the New Sounds show, as well as the teaser gig alert. It’s always a thrill to be presented by John Schaefer. The beautiful shots were taken by my friend Aria Isadora. Enjoy! 

With now five live scores in this series, I have decided to make it a series, that I hope to expand and document soon. I titled it “Silent Film Scores for Social Justice”.