JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WTAJ) — The haunting tale of Count Orlok returned to the big screen in Johnstown as a Pittsburgh musician brought one of cinema’s earliest horror films back to life.
Inside The Grand Halle, the lights dimmed as “Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror,” the 1922 silent film directed by German filmmaker F.W. Murnau, flickered to life. Pittsburgh pianist Tom Roberts sat at the piano and began performing a 300-page original score that he composed for the film’s 100th anniversary in 2022.
For one night, audience members were transported from modern-day Johnstown to 19th-century Transylvania as Roberts’ music filled the historic venue, creating a chilling atmosphere that captured the essence of early horror cinema.
According to our media partners at The Tribune-Democrat, the film’s original score was a collection of traditional classical orchestra pieces. Roberts’ reimagined score was inspired by the works of Franz Schubert, Robe Schumann, Johannes Brahms, Felix Mendelssohn, and Ludwig Van Beethoven. giving the silent film a renewed sense of dramatic depth.
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Dozens of attendees gathered at the Grand Halle for the performance, which organizers said was scheduled as part of the venue’s Halloween season programming. Grand Halle board member Kim Rauch noted the event was meant to celebrate both film history and live music performance in one unique experience.
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