It’s Alive! - theHumm September 2018

By — Tony Stuart is the Music Director of Notre Dame Catholic High School in Carleton Place, and a freelance professional musician.

Music has always played a vital role in movies, especially those of the horror or thriller variety. If I mention Psycho, most people automatically hear the stabbing music played by the violins during the infamous shower scene. How about the terrifying two-note motif that signifies the approach of the shark in Jaws? It was scary enough that many people avoided swimming after seeing that movie.

I have a little exercise for you. Think of your favourite scary movie. Now, think of your favourite scary scene. Watch that scene, then turn the sound off and watch it again. Not so scary anymore, is it?

Like many musicians, I find it really difficult to watch horror movies, as the music gets to me. When I see someone going alone down into the basement accompanied by suspenseful music, it is time for me to get up and grab a snack and preserve some of my dignity. By the way, why are people in horror movies always so foolish?

One of the most revered horror films of all time is the classic 1931 film version of Frankenstein, directed by James Whale. The film is based on Mary Shelley’s book of the same name. The film was a blockbuster for Universal, which had recently been going through financial troubles. In its first week alone, it generated $53,000, which was an enormous sum at the time. Frankenstein left an enduring legacy, including the famous quote “It’s alive! It’s alive!”, which has been used many times since then.

Before the advent of “talkies” in the late 1920s, films did not have soundtracks. Every theatre had live musicians who played along with the film. In some cases it was written down, but in many cases the music was improvised. Small theatres had a piano player, or if they were lucky enough, an organist playing one of the famous theatre organs of the time, while larger theatres had live orchestras. At the height of the silent film era, movies were the largest source of income for instrumental musicians in the United States.

I’ll bet you are thinking that it would be a pretty neat experience to see a film with a soundtrack provided by a live orchestra. Well, you are in luck! On Friday, October 19 at 7:30pm at the Mason Theatre in Perth, the Rideau Lakes Orchestra, featuring professional players from the greater Ottawa area and conducted by Alexandra Guerin, will be providing the soundtrack to Frankenstein. Expect goosebumps! As mentioned in my disclaimer, I am a member of this orchestra. I received my sheet music a little while ago, and it looks really interesting. I can’t wait to hear what it sounds like when we meet for rehearsal.

I do a lot of conducting, but I’m kind of glad that I’m playing and not conducting for this show, as leading an orchestra while keeping an eye on the screen is no small feat, and Alexandra will be putting in a lot of time in advance getting the timing just right. For the orchestra musicians, having the opportunity to be transported back to a simpler era promises to be a lot of fun.

Tickets can be purchased through ticketsplease.ca . As a way to get into the spirit of Halloween, buy your ticket, grab your popcorn, and settle in to enjoy a chilling evening of classic horror with Frankenstein and The Rideau Lakes Orchestra. See you there!

A Celtfest Call to Action
- theHumm September 2018

By — Susan Ryan

To say that Almonte Celtfest 2018 was a success would definitely be an understatement, and the organizers couldn’t be prouder. The weather gods were definitely on our side this year as we welcomed ......

It’s Alive! - theHumm September 2018