In the early 1900s it was typical for a live orchestra to accompany a silent film. During their improvised scoring of “The Wizard of Oz,” musical group Ensemble 48 used everything from keyboards and electric guitars to slide whistles and wind chimes to modernize that old tradition.
The group, made up of music composition students from Butler University, performed music for the film Saturday night at Wild Goose Creative in Columbus.
The show was completely improvised. Percussionist Scott Comanzo, who attended Capital University as an undergraduate student, said that while a few members of the band had seen the film previously, none had practiced written parts.
“We’re watching the movie like everyone else,” Comanzo said. “Except we have instruments in our hands.”
The band used a 1925 version of “The Wizard of Oz” that is very different from the well-known 1939 film, which stared Judy Garland as Dorothy. This provided an interesting challenge for the group.
“This movie is trying to be a comedy, so this is going to have to be a different approach for us musically,” said guitarist Zane Merritt before the showing. The humor of the film was evident. The audience laughed periodically as the music reflected actions in the film. After watching the performance, Columbus resident Dana Stewart said she had expected a softer, more traditional melody, but was pleasantly surprised by the funky jazz rhythms of the score.
Another notable feature of the performance was the variety of instruments band members used to follow the film’s storyline.
String musician Brian Grimm highlighted the melody by playing the erhu, a Chinese instrument that resembles a violin. Grimm said the instrument, which creates a recognizable haunting tone, was made to be heard over an entire orchestra.
The band also incorporated toys and household items to create sound effects for the movie. Comanzo, who’s percussion assortment included a computer mouse and a can of bottle caps, said he’s been collecting various pieces of noise-making junk over the years to use for the band.
The idea to play music for a silent movie came after the band saw a 1929 film called “Man With a Movie Camera.” Comanzo said band members were disappointed by an unsatisfying musical score, which gave little justice to an otherwise good film.
“We thought we could do a better job of this by just improvising,” Comanzo said.
Comanzo also said that another reason for the silent film innovation was that the band, used to jamming together, would not have to prepare extensively for the performances.
“We’ve played together so much, you could say we have hours and hours of preparation already,” guitarist Adam Cohen-Leadholm said.
Joining Ensemble 48 for the night was Columbus musician Tony Brock, a multi-instrumentalist who played the harmonium keyboard during the performance. Brock, a friend of the group, said he was happy to take part in the performance.
The showing was hosted by Wild Goose Creative, a nonprofit arts center at 2491 Summit St. Amanda Anderson, who invited the group and helped to put on the event, said that the group showcased a unique art form consistent Wild Goose’s goal to provide a diverse array of events and exhibits.
Steve Skok can be reached at [email protected].
