What better way to experience the drama of Halloween than through the classic silent film Nosfertau? On Oct. 31-Nov. 1, the Choral Arts Society of Southeastern Wisconsin will be performing a unique, original and unforgettable theatrical version of this 1922 silent film at the Dekoven Center. Concert goers are invited to attend a Pre-Concert event at the Racine Public Library, 75 Seventh St., on Thursday, Oct. 23 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Nosferatu composer Karel Suchy and Choral Arts Society conductor and artistic director James Schatzman will discuss the original music composition and the theatrical process of putting together this unique production. Excerpts from Murnau's 1922 silent film will also be shown. The Pre-Concert event is free and open to the public; no registration is necessary. This is a valuable opportunity to meet the creative minds behind this world premiere event.
The Choral Arts Society of Southeastern Wisconsin will premiere the original tone poem, being presented with the silent film, on Friday, Oct. 31 at 8:00 PM and Saturday, Nov. 1 at 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM at the DeKoven Center's Great Hall, 600 21st St. in Racine. Costumes will be permitted and "treats" available.
This specially commissioned work, composed and arranged by Karel Suchy, features choral singing, speaking, and acoustic and electronic instruments. The score draws on a wide variety of musical styles, including early modal music, modern classical, Appalachian hymnody and rock ballad. CAS will display its flexibility and musicality as it interprets this diverse composition. Emotional, dramatic and philosophical elements of the film are articulated through techniques such as the overlay of traditional Croft "Burial Sentences" on newly composed passages, the use of a folk "modified gypsy" scale, and the combination of live with concrete music (a montage of recorded natural sounds).
German director F. W. Murnau's silent film Nosferatu was based on Bram Stoker's novel Dracula. The first to deal with an occult subject, this expressionist film is distinguished by its introduction of innovative techniques, such as filming on location, and the use of montage. As film critic Roger Ebert has stated, "Nosferatu . . . doesn't scare us, but it haunts us. It shows not that vampires can jump out of shadows, but that evil can grow there, nourished on death."
Local composer and CAS singer Karel Suchy, born in the Czech Republic in 1953, studied piano, organ and composition at Prague's Jazz Conservatory, then earned his M.S. in Engineering. He led and composed for two avant-garde and modern jazz groups. Prior to his escape from communism in 1979, he won awards for composition, including the Prague Jazz Festival. He is founder and director of musical group, "Voices and Verses" and Director of Music at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Racine, WI. CAS performed his arrangement of "Sweet Mary sings her Babe to Sleep" in 2004.
The Choral Arts Society of Southeastern Wisconsin has been performing under the direction of James Schatzman for 22 years. Over 60 singers comprise this volunteer community chorus, dedicated to performing master choral works, presenting musical outreach programs and enriching the cultural environment of the region. The CAS repertoire has included major classical choral works, operettas, show tunes, gospel and original works by contemporary composers, some of them local.
The Choral Arts Society production is supported in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Nosferatu composer Karel Suchy and Choral Arts Society conductor and artistic director James Schatzman will discuss the original music composition and the theatrical process of putting together this unique production. Excerpts from Murnau's 1922 silent film will also be shown. The Pre-Concert event is free and open to the public; no registration is necessary. This is a valuable opportunity to meet the creative minds behind this world premiere event.
The Choral Arts Society of Southeastern Wisconsin will premiere the original tone poem, being presented with the silent film, on Friday, Oct. 31 at 8:00 PM and Saturday, Nov. 1 at 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM at the DeKoven Center's Great Hall, 600 21st St. in Racine. Costumes will be permitted and "treats" available.
This specially commissioned work, composed and arranged by Karel Suchy, features choral singing, speaking, and acoustic and electronic instruments. The score draws on a wide variety of musical styles, including early modal music, modern classical, Appalachian hymnody and rock ballad. CAS will display its flexibility and musicality as it interprets this diverse composition. Emotional, dramatic and philosophical elements of the film are articulated through techniques such as the overlay of traditional Croft "Burial Sentences" on newly composed passages, the use of a folk "modified gypsy" scale, and the combination of live with concrete music (a montage of recorded natural sounds).
German director F. W. Murnau's silent film Nosferatu was based on Bram Stoker's novel Dracula. The first to deal with an occult subject, this expressionist film is distinguished by its introduction of innovative techniques, such as filming on location, and the use of montage. As film critic Roger Ebert has stated, "Nosferatu . . . doesn't scare us, but it haunts us. It shows not that vampires can jump out of shadows, but that evil can grow there, nourished on death."
Local composer and CAS singer Karel Suchy, born in the Czech Republic in 1953, studied piano, organ and composition at Prague's Jazz Conservatory, then earned his M.S. in Engineering. He led and composed for two avant-garde and modern jazz groups. Prior to his escape from communism in 1979, he won awards for composition, including the Prague Jazz Festival. He is founder and director of musical group, "Voices and Verses" and Director of Music at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Racine, WI. CAS performed his arrangement of "Sweet Mary sings her Babe to Sleep" in 2004.
The Choral Arts Society of Southeastern Wisconsin has been performing under the direction of James Schatzman for 22 years. Over 60 singers comprise this volunteer community chorus, dedicated to performing master choral works, presenting musical outreach programs and enriching the cultural environment of the region. The CAS repertoire has included major classical choral works, operettas, show tunes, gospel and original works by contemporary composers, some of them local.
The Choral Arts Society production is supported in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.
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