Carl Davis and the Philharmonia perform rare silent film
Seldom performed live since its world premiere in 1995, on 22nd April Carl Davis will conduct the Philharmonia Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall to his own score to this classic of the silent era. Waterloo tells the story of the battle from the Prussian perspective and in particular celebrates the character and achievements of General Blücher. The film also paints a very sympathetic picture of Wellington and re-creates the historic progress of Napoleon during the “100 days”.
The film uses all the camera tricks of the time: split screen, rapid montage and thrilling panning and tracking shots. The finale faithfully reproduces the site and circumstances of Blücher’s rescue, turning what might have been Napoleon’s victory into his defeat.
Carl Davis indicates his score to be a follow up to his 1980 score for Abel Gance’s Napoleon, liberally mixing compositions of the period with sympathetically-composed music of his own.
To hear Carl talking about Waterloo and writing for silent film, please see his current podcast on the Philharmonia website: http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/thesoundexchange/backstage/podcasts/
