LIVE PERFORMANCE/SCREENING IS FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY
LOS ANGELES - Composer/Violinist Ysanne Spevack will be premiering her original score to Ingmar Bergman's 1959 classic movie “The Magician," on June 24th at The Silent Movie Theater in Los Angeles (611 N Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, 90036). For one night only, Spevack will be performing with a live string ensemble her original soundtrack to the Swedish film, which has never before been available in the U.S.
“I am very excited at the prospect of bringing a new dimension to this classic film," says Spevack. “Movies from this period had very minimal music. Generally speaking, music and sound design was virtually nonexistent then, unlike the way contemporary filmmakers harness the suspense, drama and emotion of a full soundtrack."
“The Magician" is a drama about a roving mesmerist (Max von Sydow) and his traveling troupe who endure humiliation at the hands of a skeptical public. The film's original soundtrack was sparse and bare, incidental music accentuated by the strumming of an acoustic guitar. As a string arranger, Spevack has crafted an orchestral strings-based score that illuminates the suspense and heightens the dramatic action on screen.
Utilizing a combination of traditional orchestral instruments and computer-programmed beats, the ensemble led by Spevack on acoustic violin, electric violin, musical saw and midi-synth electronic textures and processing, will give this timeless film a modern soundtrack for increased contemporary significance. Additionally, performing the score live before an audience will allow for interactions not afforded by a recording, and lead to a one of a kind film-going experience.
“When composing a score, that element of improvisation is generally removed," says Spevack, “whereas the score that I am creating for 'The Magician' includes space for improvisation, so we can respond to the scene as it happens. I think it will be really interesting for the audience to see that creation process."
Composer, string arranger and violinist Ysanne Spevack is London-born and Los Angeles-based. Her string arrangements encompass a wide musical terrain spanning soundtrack, rock, classical, pop and electronica. She has worked with Jane's Addiction, Elton John, Michael Stipe of REM, Smashing Pumpkins, BRMC, Brett Anderson of Suede, and “The Sopranos" title track composers, Alabama 3. She has performed in the finest concert halls throughout the world and at some of the most celebrated events of our time, most notable Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee celebration at Buckingham Palace.
Bergman's “The Magician" marks the second time Spevack has scored a film and performed it live, the first being Italian director Gillo Pontecorvo's “The Battle of Algiers." She will be releasing a new album of original material titled soundzero later this summer.
The screening of Ingmar Bergman's “The Magician" featuring a live orchestral score by Ysanne Spevack, is presented by independent publisher Process Media, Inc.
For more information contact Gorgeous PR, Inc.
