The Barbican's New Live Music and Film Experiences

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by Bryony Harrison (subscribe)

Freelance writer and poet from London; if you would like to read my poetry, please check out my book, 'Poems on the Page', available from goo.gl/Ta4oAX.

Published January 7th 2014

Music, Miners, and the 60s

Image from www.barbican.org.uk

See composers in a new way as thy come to the big screen of the Barbican Centre. Their New Live Music and Film Experiences bring the works of Wagner, Jóhannsson, and more.

The Life and Works of Richard Wagner
12th January, 4pm, £11.50 adults, £10.50 concessions, £6 children

The first feature-length film to be made about the composer Richard Wagner, was by the German directors Carl Froelich and William Wauer in 1913. This silent film starring the Italian composer, Giuseppe Becce has now been restored and will be screened at the Barbican with an original piano score performed by Jean Hasse. It combines extracts from Bach, Bellini, Liszt, Wagner, and Hasse herself.

Blow the Bloody Doors Off
6th February, £17.50-£25

Sir Michael Caine is one of the UK's most recognisable actors; he has starred in films such as Zulu, The Italian Job, Battle of Britain, and The Man Who Would be King.

Many of Caine's films featured wonderful scores, which is what Blow the Bloody Doors Off is here to celebrate. Showing extracts from The Italian Job, Alfie, The Ipcress File, and Get Carter, the concert will highlight music four composers: Sonny Rollins, John Barry, Quincy Jones, and Roy Budd.

The Miners' Hymns
9th March, £15-£17.50

Inspired by the mining communities of north-east England, the American director, Bill Morrison has created a silent black and white documentary told through the music of Jóhann Jóhannsson. Morrison uses footage from the archives of the British Film Institute to explore the social, political, and cultural aspects of this now extinct industry. The documentary focussed on the hardship of pit work at Durham's coalfield, as well as the role of trade unions and workers' rights.

A live brass band will play original scores by Jóhannsson to commemorate the tradition of brass music within mining communities. Each colliery had their own brass band which played at social and union events.

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