Salomé

Music for the 1923 silent film starring Alla Nazimova

4 percussion

Percussion 1: Cymbal (and stand); Sistra; Small Triangle; Chikitas; Small Woodlblock; Djembe; Small Floor Totm-tom; Tibetan singing bowl
Percussion 2: Cymbal (and stand); Sistra; Large Triangle; Large Maracas; Castanets; Bongos; Large Floor Tom-tom; Tibetan singing bowl
Percussion 3: Large Tam-tam; Tambourine; Claves; 4 Concert Tom-toms; Orchestral Bass Drum
Percussion 4: Large Tam-tam; Tambourine; Cabasa; 2 Cowbells; Congas; Orchestral Bass Drum

Duration: 73 minutes

First performance at New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth on 10 October 2009
with percussionists Nick Baron, James Hulme, Alun Hathaway, Dave Danford

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

Press

The Guardian, 3 November 2009

South Wales Argus, 4 November 2009

WalesOnline, 5 April 2012

Seen and Heard International review

Lichfield Live review

Manchester Pride interview

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

Procuced by Sound Affairs with the financial support of: Arts Council of England, Arts Council of Wales, Colwinston Charitable Trust, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Oakdale Trust

Programme

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