Artistry First
 

SILENT FILM MUSIC




Sadie Thompson
Classic Silent Film with Live Music
Score by Joseph Turrin

    "Turrin's charming score enhances a unique classic silent film experience.
At Dartmouth College it was a delight for the audience, as well as the players."
--Max Culpepper, Conductor, Dartmouth College

    "One of the most impressive aspects of this restored version of 'Sadie Thompson' is an outstanding musical
score by Joseph Turrin.  Few musicians have written feature-length scores for the silent films in the last 60 years, but Turrin
produced one that follows the film meticulously and is good listening besides."
--The Oregonian (4/16/87)

"With a musical score by Joseph Turrin, 'Sadie Thompson' is work that must be seen."
--New York Daily News (3/87)




The 1928 silent classic Sadie Thompson, starring Gloria Swanson, is available exclusively from Kino International (the film) and Ballerbach (the music).  The lost art of performing live music with live film projection is one of the most challenging and thrilling musical experiences for conductors, players and audiences.

This brilliant 92 minute score by Joseph Turrin was commissioned in 1986 for the restoration and and video release of the film.   After the music was recorded it sat for ten years until it received its first live performance with film projection at Dartmouth College where it was a resounding success.

Sadie Thompson proved to be a landmark of the silent film era.  Perhaps its greatest achievement was its uncompromising translation of Somerset Maugham's controversial story of a San Francisco prostitute and a South Pacific reformer.  Restored by Kino International, this neglected and forgotten classic is available for performance with live music.

This is an excellent opportunity for a fundraising event, a joint venture with a theater, public radio station, or film society.   To perform this work you must have access to an appropriate theater and film projectionist.  It is recommended you contact your nearest film society.  The film is on rental from Kino International.  The music is on rental from Ballerbach.
 
 

Duration: 92 ' (score 566pgs) 18 players: 2 fl, ob, 2 cl, 2 bsn - 2 hrn, 2 trp, 2 trb, 2 vc, cb, pno, 1-2 perc

Score & Parts on Rental from Ballerbach:  $700 One performance, $350 Performances thereafter

Film on Rental from Kino International
333 W. 39th St., New York, NY 10018
Call for rates: 1-800-562-3330  contact: Jessica Rosner