The Sembrich and Duo Tenth Intervention Bring to Life Classic Silent Film Sunrise (1927)
The Sembrich’s film series continues with a screening of the classic silent film Sunrise, a Song of Two Humans (1927), accompanied by a newly-improvised score performed live in The Sembrich Studio on Monday, August 8 at 7:30 PM. Sunrise, a romantic drama by German expressionistic director F. W. Murneau, is regarded by some as the greatest film of the silent era. The Brooklyn-based Tenth Intervention, Hajnal Pivnick, violin and Dorian Wallace, piano/synthesizer --- hailed as “ambassadors of modern music” by Interlochen Public Radio --- lend their talents for the occasion to create a newly-improvised score for this important classic film.
“We are so excited to present this unique experience and bring the worlds of film and music together at The Sembrich” says Director of Outreach Caleb Eick. “It is not often you get to go to a movie and have the entire soundtrack played live in the same room. This is must-see event for any lover of music or film, and a great opportunity for anyone looking for a one-of-a-kind experience here in the Lake George region!”
Bored with his wife (Janet Gaynor), their baby and the dull routine of farm life, a farmer (George O'Brien) falls under the spell of a flirtatious city girl (Margaret Livingston) who convinces him to drown his wife so they can escape together. When his wife becomes suspicious of his plan and runs away to the city, the farmer pursues her, slowly regaining her trust as the two rediscover their love for each other in this award-winning silent classic.
Performing the live score is the duo Tenth Intervention which consists of violinist Hajnal Pivnick and keyboardist Dorian Wallace.
Hungarian-American violinist, Hajnal Kármán Pivnick was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee and is the Co-Artistic Director of Tenth Intervention. She advocates the performance and promotion of music written in the 20th and 21st century and works extensively as an educator and arts administrator.
Hajnal performs regularly with IRIS Orchestra, ensemble mise-en, and Quartet Metadata, and has played with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Opera Theater of Pittsburgh, and the Hungarian New Music Chamber Ensemble (UMZE). In New York, she performs in venues ranging from the Park Avenue Armory to Joe’s Pub to Carnegie Hall. As a soloist, she has performed with the Association for the Promotion of New Music and the Tribeca New Music Festival.
Hajnal is a member of the violin faculty at Interlochen Arts Camp, and maintains a violin studio at Greenwich House Music School, Opus 118 Harlem School of Music, and Lucy Moses School. She is also a chamber music coach with the Face the Music/Kronos Quartet program. She holds degrees from Carnegie Mellon University and the Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, Hungary.
Dorian Wallace is a composer, pianist, teacher, and activist based in New York City. He is a co-founding artistic director of progressive new music collective Tenth Intervention, and conductor of the improvisational septendectet, The Free Sound Ahn-somble. His compositions have been performed worldwide at venues such as The Greene Space at WNYC & WQXR, Pompidou Centre, Palais Jacques Coeur, The DiMenna Center for Classical Music, and National Sawdust. Wallace has composed and collaborated with artists including Robert Ashley, Experiments In Opera, Frank London, Matt Marks, Charlotte Mundy, New Vintage Baroque, Paul Pinto, RIOULT Dance, John Sanborn, and Pamela Z.
Wallace is one of New York City’s most in demand accompanists for dance, playing for the Martha Graham Dance Company, Doug Varone and Dancers, Columbia University, and many others. He developed Ichonautics, a music philosophy, composition, and mindful improvisational approach, and has given masterclasses and guest artist residencies around the world. Wallace currently lives in Harlem, New York with his partner and colleague, violinist Hajnal Pivnick.
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at TheSembrich.org/festival or by calling (518) 644-2431.