On November 10, an audience of approximately 350 was treated to a delightful 70 minutes of restored silent films by world cinema’s first woman director, Alice Guy Blaché, at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.  While the films, which dated from 1899 to 1912, were mesmerizing, the real gem was the music that was composed for and premiered at this event. 

Composers Kim Allen Kluge and Kathryn Vassar Kluge wrote a musical score for these films “that was beautiful and lyrical from start to finish”, said Joan Grauman, a member of the quintet that performed as the films were shown on a large screen behind the musicians.  The instrumentation the Kluges chose for this score consisted of: violin (Jeffry Newberger), cello (Benjamin Wensel), accordion (Joan Grauman), guitar (Srdjan Kolarevic) and percussion (Joe Connell).  Also present was a “ghost piano”, played by Kim and Kathryn Kluge, that was recorded and put through a “vinylizer” to sound like an old 78 rpm recording. 

 “Working with the Kluges was a total joy, and their sweet music still plays in my mind weeks after our performance”, said Joan, who was thrilled and honored when asked by the Kluges to join them in other cities for future performances of this work. In Kim Kluge’s words, “We both love Joan’s soulful sound and approach to her instrument.  She has amazing musicianship.” 

Joan was pleased that a well-known composer and conductor would choose to write for the accordion.  “I didn’t know what I was going to be playing.  From the moment we were handed our music at the first rehearsal, I was so charged. There was the playful piano rag, the sweet French musette and the gentle Philip Glass-style passages – all beautiful.  This was a wonderful experience for me.”

Photo credits:1.Peter DiGiovanni 2. Alison McMahan

For further information: Joangrauman@verizon.net