The Music

To see Markus Horn's new score live is to experience a whole lot more than merely a piano playing along to a film. Combining elements of classical music, jazz, pop and avant-garde and enhancing them with a large portion of improvisation, this soundtrack creates an entirely unique, fascinating universe. With jazzy grooves, pop harmonies and abstract passages Horn's musical language goes beyond the typical influences of late romanticism, bringing new impulses and fresh sounds to the world of silent film accompaniment.

In recent years Horn performed his music to Fritz Lang's masterpiece "Metropolis" at shows all over the world, receiving standing ovations for his intense symbiosis of film and music. With "Nosferatu" he is now presenting his second soundtrack to a German silent film.

Preparations for a new project can take up to six months. Compositions, themes and motives are created to then develop further with the story line and serve as a basis for improvisation. In addition, gaining detailed knowledge of the film is absolutely vital, in order for the pianist to be entirely synchronised with the plot and to breathe with the film. The resulting live show is an independent, powerful and lyrical accompaniment to F.W. Murnau's expressionistic silent movie masterpiece.

"Nosferatu" successfully premiered at the 2015 "Teaneck International Film Festival" (USA), followed by performances in New York, Berkeley, Los Angeles and Turkey.

Reviews

“(...) the evening belonged to Markus Horn, as he mesmerized the audience with a soundtrack that brilliantly matched the photographic score in creating a dream like atmosphere for the minimalized intertitled narrative. Horn’s intense symbiosis of film and music culminated in a rousing, standing ovation by an enraptured audience at the film’s end. This version of Nosferatu with the Markus Horn accompaniment and a run-time of 94 minutes left the audience wanting more. Much more. An exceptional opening film. Highly, highly recommended.”

- Viewed by Larry Gleeson at San Luis Obispo California State Polytechnical University’s Spanos Theater as part of the 22nd Annual SLO Film Fest, formally known as San Luis Obispo International Film Festival, on March 15th, 2016



“After having Markus here with “Metropolis” at our festival two years ago, I wondered how he could follow up such an amazing performance. But he did it, and again people are buzzing about what an incredible opening night it was. He played such an interesting, varied and often surprising score to accompany the great classic NOSFERATU, and I know he left the audience wanting more. We hope he comes back to San Luis Obispo again soon with another amazing composition and movie. We’ll have to keep finding larger and larger theatres for him too!”

- Wendy Eidson, Festival Director San Luis Obispo International Film Festival



„The pianist was thoroughly in his element, and received a standing ovation after hammering out the final note.”

- Anna Weltner, Jury Member San Luis Obispo International Film Festival



"Markus Horn is a virtuoso and his performance during the restored screening of Metropolis at the 7th Annual Teaneck International Film Festival was an event to remember!"

- Jeremy Lentz, Executive Director Teaneck International Film Festival