Salomé
Music for the 1922 silent film starring Alla Nazimova
percussion quartet, boy treble, choir (SATB), timpani, contrabass
Percussion 1: Cymbal (and stand); Metal pipe/Brake drum; Tibetan singing bowl; Sistra; Triangle (small); Maracas (small); Woodlblock; Djembe; Floor Tom-tom (small_
Percussion 2: Cymbal (and stand); Metal pipe/Brake drum; Tibetan singing bowl; Sistra; Triangle (large); Maracas (large); Castanets; Bongos; Floor Tom-tom (large)
Percussion 3: Metal pipe/Brake drum; Tam-tam (large); Tambourine; Claves; 4 Concert Tom-toms; Orchestral Bass Drum
Percussion 4: Metal pipe/Brake drum; Tam-tam (large); Tambourine; 2 Cowbells; Cabasa; Congas; Bass Drum (on side)
Duration: 73 minutes
Singers: Rhiannon Llewellyn (soprano); Gareth Treseder (tenor); Kelvin Thomas (bass); Sianed Jones (vocal improvisations)
For the film: Charles Bryant (Director); Charles Van Enger (Cinematography); Natacha Rambova (Art Direction / Costume)
Film cast: Mitchell Lewis (Herod); Alla Nazimova (Salomé); Rose Dione (Herodias); Earl Schenk (Narraboth); Nigel De brulier (Jokanaan); Arthur Jasmine (Page of Herodias)
First performance at New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth on 10 October 2009
with percussionists Nick Baron, James Hulme, Alun Hathaway, Dave Danford
Score
Score also available at the International Music Score Library Project (IMSLP)
Background
Opulent, extravagant, decadent – Salomé is a visual feast furnished by lavish art nouveau designs inspired by artist Aubrey Beardsley and an unforgettable performance by the tempestuous actress Alla Nazimova in the title role.
Inspired by traditional Arabic ensembles, Charlie Barber’s percussion score makes an equally dramatic impact. Performed by musicians playing from two towers flanking each side of the giant silver screen, this is a riveting blend of music and spectacle – quite unlike anything else.
“a hothouse orchid of decadent passion” – Photoplay Magazine 1923
Starring the Russian-born actress Alla Nazimova, Salomé is a rarely seen artwork of film history adapted from the controversial Oscar Wilde play with an abundance of sumptuously fantastic visuals.Made in 1923, Salomé loosely follows the biblical story of King Herod and his desire for his young stepdaughter. It is Salomé’s desire for Jokanaan (John the Baptist) that causes her to dance before Herod….Inspired by the sounds of traditional Arabian ensembles, Charlie Barber’s score is performed by four percussionists against a backdrop of pre-recorded vocal settings of psalms sung in Latin and Hebrew.
Further information
Background details about the music can be found here
Percussion list can be accessed here
Technical specifications for the performance here
Images
Video
Performances
| 10.10.09 | PORTSMOUTH | New Theatre Royal |
| 14.10.09 | MALVERN | Forum Theatre |
| 17,10.09 | LONDON | Drill Hall |
| 19.10.09 | MILTON KEYNES | The Stables |
| 21.10.09 | PONTARDAWE | Arts Centre |
| 22.10.09 | PWLLHELI | Neuadd Dwyfor |
| 23.10.09 | HOLYHEAD | Ucheldre Centre |
| 27.10.09 | BROMSGROVE | Artrix |
| 28.10.09 | LIVERPOOL | Unity Theatre |
| 29.10.09 | CHESTER | ChristChurch |
| 30.10.09 | BRISTOL | St Georges |
| 03.11.09 | NEWPORT | Riverfront |
| 07.11.09 | CARMARTHEN | Lyric Theatre |
| 12.11.09 | SPALDING | South Holland Centre |
| 13.11.09 | HALESWORTH | The Cut |
| 14.11.09 | COLCHESTER | Lakeside Theatre |
| 28.10.11 | TEWKESBURY | Roses Theatre |
| 29.10.11 | MANCHESTER | Royal Northern College of Music |
| 24.01.12 | MOLD | Clwyd Theatr Cymru |
| 25.01.12 | MOLD | Clwyd Theatr Cymru |
| 26.01.12 | ABERGAVENNY | Borough Theatre |
| 27.01.12 | CARDIGAN | Theatr Mwldan |
| 09.02.12 | LONDON | Southbank Centre, Purcell Room |
| 16.02.12 | LANCASTER | Nuffield Theatre |
| 01.03.12 | SWANSEA | Taliesin Arts Centre |
| 03.03.12 | BRAY | Mermaid Arts Centre, Ireland |
| 05.03.12 | KILKENNY | Watergate Theatre, Ireland |
| 07.03.12 | SLIGO | Hawkes Well Theatre, Ireland |
| 08.03.12 | NEWBRIDGE | Riverbank, Ireland |
| 11.03.12 | TRALEE | Siamsa Tire, Ireland |
| 03.04.12 | CARDIFF | Sherman Cymru |
| 06.07.12 | CHELTENHAM | Music Festival |
| 09.07.12 | LICHFIELD | Festival |
| 21.07.12 | BUXTON | Festival |
| 07.03.18 | LIVERPOOL | Cornerstone Festival |
| 13.03.18 | AMSTERDAM | Muziekgebouw |
| 08.11.19 | SOUTHAMPTON | Turner Sims Concert Hall |
| 16.11.19 | CARDIFF | Wales Millennium Centre |
Programme
Press
South Wales Argus, 4 November 2009
Seen and Heard International review
Credits
Produced by Sound Affairs with the financial support of: Arts Council of England, Arts Council of Wales, Colwinston Charitable Trust, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Oakdale Trust
Related content
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