MUSIC FOR SILENT FILM

DR. MABUSE DER SPIELER, PART II: INFERNO

FOR ENSEMBLE AND LIVE ELECTRONICS (1992/93)

Expressionism is playfulness. And why not? Everything is a gimmick today.

(Dr. Mabuse)

Apparently, Fritz Lang used expressionistic stylistic elements quite deliberately to create a smooth transition between reality and fiction. He staged ­a diabolical ambience for the more or less palpable power and ­threat of Mabuse, who in his person and portrayal naturally ­belongs to the genre of fantastic ­film, but who in his actions fits into the chaotic and uncertain times of those years as a symbol of the loss of state order and the reign of decadence and nihilism.

Commissioned by Ensemble InterContemporain/IRCAM, Paris 1992

INSTRUMENTATION

Ensemble: 1(afl.).1.1(E-flat).bcl(cbcl).1(cbsn).-1.2.1.0-perc(3)-hp.-pno(sampler)-str:2.0.1.1.1. and live electronics

128 min.

FIRST PERFORMANCE

Paris, 30 Oct. 1993

Ensemble InterContemporain, cond: David Robertson

Ensemble InterContemporain, cond.: Ann Manson, ZDF-ARTE  1996

rEVIEWS

“Von größter Bedutung ist bei Obst der Faktor Zeit. Pulsierende Akkorde, vorantreibende Percussion-Einlagen intensivieren die Zeitwahrnehmung – offenkundig hat sich der 1955 in Frankfurt am Main geborene Musiker gründlich mit den Gesetzen des akustischen und visuellen Erzählrhythmus’ beschäftigt. Ein Garant für Spannung. Und das umso mehr, da Obst um die Bedeutung der Pause weiß. Beeindruckendes Beispiel: Eine Gefängnisszene, in der eine inhaftierte Frau von einer anderen vorgeblich Gefangenen ausgehorcht werden soll, verläuft zunächst in absoluter Stille. Hochdramatisch entwickelt sich die Interaktion auf der Leinwand bis endlich, fast erlösend, brüchiges Streichersingen einsetzt.”

“The time factor is of utmost importance in Obst’s work. Pulsating chords, driving percussion interludes intensify the perception of time – the musician, born in Frankfurt am Main in 1955, has obviously studied the laws of acoustic and visual narrative rhythm thoroughly. A guarantee for suspense. And all the more so because Obst knows the importance of the pause. An impressive example: a prison scene in which an imprisoned woman is to be interrogated by another alleged prisoner initially proceeds in absolute silence. Highly dramatic, the interaction develops on the screen until finally, almost redemptively, brittle string singing begins.”

Märkische Allgemeine Zeitung, 24.02.2003, Jörg Zimmermann on the performance of the Deutsches Filmorchester Babelsberg, cond. Scott Lawton

 

REVIEW II

REVIEW IIII

 

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Photo © Guido Werner

About Michael obst

Michael Obst is a composer, pianist, and teacher. He began his successful composing career with electronic music and subsequently composed works for music theater, film and concert halls. His experience as a pianist with the Ensemble Modern, enriched his understanding of contemporary music. After 25 fulfilling years of teaching, he is now excited to once again concentrate on his own composition projects.

All works © Michael Obst.
Unauthorised reproduction is prohibited.