Hilary Seabrook, Harmonious World
Grammy-nominated cellist Joan Jeanrenaud, vocalist / accordionist Mira Stroika and composer / pianist William Susman perform a blend of influences in these film scores seen on PBS Television, over 60 film festivals world-wide, The National Gallery of Art, museums in New York, San Francisco, and WINNER of the Tribeca Film Festival (Native New Yorker).
Films during the Silent Era were called moving pictures. Live performance of the music helped provide a “narrative” and intensify the emotion. Setting the mood for these early films, a musician, often a pianist, performed live accompanying the projection of the film. In some of the larger picture houses an organist or orchestra played a score live-to-picture or improvised to pre-determined themes.
When I compose music for a film, I try to make an organic connection to what I see and hear on screen which informs how I approach the score. I listen for music that may already be in the film or, perhaps performed by one of the characters. - William Susman
Joan Jeanrenaud, cello
Mira Stroika, vocals and accordion
William Susman, piano and keyboards
Produced by William Susman
Engineered by Stephen Hart
Recorded at Bay Area Sound Studios, San Rafael, CA
Sept. 2 & 3, 2008 (When Medicine)
Sept. 26 & Oct. 12, 2008 (Balancing Acts)
January 2005 (Native New Yorker)
Cover Design by Daniel Sofer/hermosawave
Photo Credits: Alessandro Moruzzi (Jean Jeanrenaud),
See Ming Lee (Mira Stroika)
All compositions ©2005-2009 by William Susman
