Organ symphony of cinema/“Nosferatu — a symphony of horror”/Where fear lives

For horror cinema, 1922 marks the beginning of a great story. From the darkness of folk tales, from whispered messages, from Gothic literature, from the novels of Bram Stoker, He — Nosferatu, called to film life by Friedrich W. Murnau, enters the light of the screen. In the realm of cinematic fear, Count Orlok becomes the absolute ruler. In the history of cinema, this is a special situation - everyone knows this name and this story, even if they have never seen it on the screen. Not surprisingly, she has her own off-screen and pre-movie life. In 1897, Bram Stoker, an Irish writer and journalist, created a Gothic story about vampirism inspired by tales of the cruel Vlad Dracula, a Wallachian landowner from the 15th century. The German cinema visionary saw in this dark narrative a climate that corresponded with the aura of stories of the incredible and black moods that prevailed in Germany after the First World War, most fully captured by the current of German film expressionism. The director himself, by the way, was one of his most outstanding representatives.

What is the greatness of the film Nosferatu - a symphony of horror? Above all, on the sophisticated and innovative formula of film storytelling at the time. Murnau masterfully exploits the potential of cinematic exteriors, properly lit, edited and composed into a cinematic frame. The shadows of the bare branches of trees can be as frightening here as the monstrous reflection of the figure of a creeping vampire. Today, in the age of computer special effects, does Nosferatu still possess demonic power and scares? Perhaps not, but it still haunts cinema halls...

Anita Skwara

Language: boards in German
Subtitles: Polish, English

This concert may be part of the “My Pass” offer. Check the details and compose “My Pass” at will, choosing from concerts of different series in the chamber and concert hall — more information.

Performers: Sebastian Heindl — organ; Anita Skwara, Adam Suprynowicz — conducting

Program: Nosferatu — Symphony of Horror (1922) — dir. Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau