Carl
Davis, a conductor and composer of music for feature films, television,
silent films, ballets and musicals has been associated with silent
cinema since 1976. He’s composed 50 ‘silent’ scores,
which include the comedies of Harold Lloyd, Charlie Chaplin, Buster
Keaton and Harry Langdon.
Davis
turned to Gershwin, Kern and other composers from the 20s when working
on Safety Last to capture the brightness and buoyancy of America
at that time. Davis says ‘'The man seemed to suggest the music.
Lloyd nearly always played his own character - sometimes he
even called himself Harold in films. I tried to express this
throughout Safety Last.’
The
motif Davis has created features in his score for Safety Last. 'Harold
Lloyd is a descendant from the 1920's. An average American,
forever optimistic, always a winner. I wanted to reflect that
feeling of optimism in the music, that uplifting, college dance,
showbiz type of feeling'.
To
tackle 'the climb' scene (which we've taken a clip from above) Davis
has used techniques of classic melodrama, matching the suspense
of the climb note by note. Every nerve racking incident that
takes place on each of the twelve floors is echoed in the score,
which enhances the atmosphere of danger in the build up to the final
climax. Watch the clip and see whether you can hear:
- The
string technique used when 'The Girl' (Mildred) finds out that it
is 'Her Boy' climbing the skyscraper click
for answer
-
The dissonant harmonies as 'The Boy' hangs from the clockface.
-
The descending scales as 'The Pal' throws the rope out of the window
- The
syncopation (off beat music) as 'The Boy' is desperately trying
to catch the rope as it swings out of his reach. Which instruments
play this line? click
for answer
- Which
percussion instrument signals his fall from the rope at the end
of the clip? Want to know the answer - click here
Come
and Watch the performance!
On
Sunday 12 February the Philharmonia Orchestra presents a
special
evening concert at De Montfort Hall, Leicester as part
of the Leicester
Comedy Festival. Bringing together the best of Broadway
and a screening of Harold Lloyd’s classic silent film
Safety Last with live orchestral soundtrack composed by
Carl Davis this promises to be an unforgettable event.
SLAPSTICK
FAMILY MUSIC!
Slapstick
Mayhem! an afternoon of slapstick comedy and music will
be presented by James
Campbell the world’s only stand-up comedian for children.
Conducted by Carl Davis the concert at 4pm will feature the
famous ‘climb’ scene from Safety Last. The hour-long
concert is preceded by free slapstick, fun music, percussion
and craft workshops from 1pm (free but ticketed with limited
availability). Other free fun craft activities are available
all afternoon with no ticket required and a Charlie Chaplin
impersonator will ensure that no-one is left not entertained!
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