Silent Movies – in partnership with Chamber Music NZ

Silent Movies Live presents classic silent movies the way they were intended, with live music accompaniment. Pianist David Selfe and percussionist Jeremy Fitzsimons add live musical accompaniment to two silent Charlie Chaplin films selected from: The Pawn Shop(1916),A Dog’s Life(1918), and The Kid(1921). In the place of synchronised recorded music, the musical duo use authentic original composition, improvisation, and an array of sound effects to capture the comedy, pathos, and heart of these classic films. All music is composed by pianist, David Selfe, and arranged by percussionist Jeremy Fitzsimons. The music involves a degree of improvisation and interaction between piano, percussion, and the film. The NZ written score is based on the style of the 1920’s movie house. Audiences find the use of unusual instruments like the musical saw and jaw harp intriguing. The two musicians capture the live action, as if the music was on the film. From high-paced action scenes to melancholic moments this performance represents a true lost art-form not to be missed. The Audience can choose which two of the three films they would like to see in the evening’s event. Instrumentation: Piano & Percussion (xylophone, vibraphone, glockenspiel, timpani, snare drum, temple blocks, musical saw, jaw harp, and many other small sound effects and auxiliary percussion).