Search - J.S. Zamecnik, Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra :: Cinema:Silent Film Music by J.S. Zamecnik

Response to the gentleman from Austin

Rodney Sauer | Louisville, CO USA | 09/21/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I simply must respond to the comments about the violin sound on this CD: I am the pianist and director of the Mont (not Mount) Alto orchestra. I know that violin sounds can be a matter of personal taste. We have listened to this recording many times, and I find no fault at all with our violinist, Susan Hall, who brings a lovely tone and spirit to this music. Susan is able to bring a tasteful humor to pieces like Danse Fantastique that leave other violinists at a loss. There are few groups who play everything perfectly, and I hear music on the radio every day that sounds far worse than this. It would be lovely if the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields were to approach this music, but they aren't likely to any time soon. I strongly encourage you to sample the sound files provided for you on this web site -- if the violin is not to your liking, avoid the recording. But this is the only complaint we've had to date about the execution of this material, so it is definitely a matter of personal taste. In any event, it's not like a Mozart concerto where if you don't like this recording you can buy someone else's -- despite the vast importance of this music in the period 1913 to 1928, this is the first and only time this music has been recorded for public release. If you want to hear silent film music, check it out."

Cinema music

Don Cox | 02/17/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD presents a sequence of short pieces composed by a student of Dvorak, for use in the silent cinema. The music is both charming and moving, and it is beautifully played. Strongly recommended."