In this episode: Ben talks about scoring silent films that lack a traditional narrative – films made for educational purposes – and creating music that is more “visual” than what is usually done for silents; films discussed are the 1922… Read More »ep. 55: Music for unconventional silent films and other purposes
In this episode: Ben talks about the fun and challenges of playing a number of different organs at silent film shows during October and November in Ocean Grove NJ, Ursinus College in PA, and at the historic Everett Theatre in… Read More »ep. 54: playing different theatre or pipe organs at shows in Oct & Nov 2022
Episode 54 Show Notes: Playing Different Theatre/Pipe Organs Responding and adapting to the onsite organs at performances of silent film Our Hospitality at the Great Auditorium of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association Robert Hope Jones designed organ Silent Comedy… Read More »Episode 54 show notes: The Silent Film Music Podcast
I’ve been producing and releasing DVDs via my Undercrank Productions label since 2013 and, in January, began releasing our titles on Blu-ray as well. All new releases in 2022 were issued on both formats. At a time when some other… Read More »DVD: “Not Dead Yet”
Episode 53 Show Notes: Playing For The Talkies Reflection on Episodes 51–52, Interview with William Perry, the impact and the quality of his accompaniments to silent films William Perry’s Trobriand Music Use of main themes and leitmotivs, especially for his… Read More »Episode 53 show notes: The Silent Film Music Podcast
In this episode: Ben reflects on his conversation with William Perry heard in the previous two episodes of the podcast; discusses how considering a show’s intended audience is part of his programming process; covers the different film options for Halloween… Read More »ep. 53: underscoring “Frankenstein” (1931), leitmotifs and how often to use them, listener questions, and more.
It’s an endless game of whack-a-mole. To some degree, there’s nothing to be done about it. I’m impressed that most of my DVD and Blu-ray releases have not been illicitly uploaded to YouTube. But several of them have, and aside… Read More »Undercrank Prods: “Beat the Boots”?
Every Halloween season, silent film accompanists and church organists find themselves on the bench supporting silent film’s usual suspects: Erik the Phantom, Quasimodo, Drs. Jekyll and Caligari, and Count Orlok. Most of these are more gothic or macabre than what… Read More »It’s Halloween – Has Anyone Seen “The Bat”?
Episode 52 Show Notes: William Perry interview (part 2) Interview with William Perry, composer, pianist, orchestrator, and silent film accompanist. From William Perry’s score for The Gold Rush (transition from piano to orchestra) Ben’s introduction WP: In the early 1970s,… Read More »Episode 52 show notes: The Silent Film Music Podcast
In this episode: Ben interviews composer, silent film pianist and television producer William Perry. Perry is probably best-remembered for his scores for the now-legendary television series “The Silent Years”, produced by Paul Killiam, that ran for two seasons on public… Read More »ep. 52: William Perry interview (part 2) – MoMA, Lillian Gish, composing orchestrally for piano, and more.