14 May 2018
Renowned musicians to provide live soundtrack to Battleship Potemkin screening
A 1920’s silent masterpiece is to be screened at the University later this month with a live, specially curated soundtrack.
On Wednesday 30 May, Sergei Eisenstein’s Battleship Potemkin will be displayed on the big screen at Cope Auditorium, Loughborough.
Though the film has no sound, the venue will be alive with music thanks to leading violinist Matthew Trusler and renowned pianist Ashley Wass.
Eisenstein’s 1925 production is one of the most influential films in history yet one of the most controversial.
Despite being hailed amongst the greatest movies ever made, it has been banned on numerous occasions in countries around the world due to its propagandist convictions and potential to influence political thought.
Battleship Potemkin was originally written as a revolutionary propaganda film and is a dramatic retelling of a notorious mutiny in 1905 when the Potemkin’s crew rebelled against their officers.
Eisenstein hoped the film would be given a new soundtrack every 20 years to help retain its relevance for each passing generation.
Trusler and Wass have curated a powerful soundtrack of music by several different composers, many of whom were influenced and affected by the Russian Revolution of 1917.
Works by Shostakovich, Prokofiev, Mussorgsky, Janacek and Bartok have been selected to complement the film’s narrative and are skilfully timed to correspond with each change of scene.
Director of LU Arts Nick Slater said: “One of the highlights of the current [LU Arts Spring/Summer] programme is the opportunity to hear two leading musicians curate the soundtrack to an accompanying projection of one of the 20th century’s most powerful films.
“The programme contains work by leading composers and the combination of live score and film will make for a truly compelling experience.”
The film screening is open to all and will begin at 7.30pm. Tickets are £13, £10 concessions and £5 for students and can be booked here or by contacting the LU Arts Box Office at Loughborough Town Hall on 01509 231914.
For more information on the event, the musicians and the repertoire included in the Potemkin soundtrack, visit the dedicated webpage.