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Alloy Orchestra
The Alloy Orchestra performing in 1995. R to L - Ken Winokur, Caleb Sampson, Terry Donahue
The Alloy Orchestra performing in 1995. R to L - Ken Winokur, Caleb Sampson, Terry Donahue
Background information
OriginCambridge,Massachusetts,U.S.
Genressoundtrack
Years active1991–2021
LabelsLobster Films, Flicker Alley, Kino Lorber, Accurate Records,Third Man,Bib Records, Image Entertainment, Warner Home Video
Past membersCaleb Sampson, Ken Winokur, Terry Donahue, Roger Miller
Websitewww.kenwinokur/alloy-orchestra

TheAlloy Orchestrawas a musical ensemble based inCambridge, Massachusetts,United States. It performed its own accompaniments tosilent filmsof the classic movie era on an unusual collection offound objects(horseshoes,plumbing pipes, and abedpan,which comprised their so-called "rack of junk" ), homemade instruments,accordion,clarinet,musical saw,and a samplingsynthesizer,the group scored and performed with 40 feature-length silent films or collections of shorts.[1]The group is often credited with having helped revitalize the art of silent film accompaniment.[2][3][4]

Percussionist Ken Winokur and keyboardist Caleb Sampson founded the group on June 12, 1985, to accompany a theatrical production of RainerWerner Fassbinder'sMarilyn Monroe vs. the Vampires.[5]In 1991Coolidge Corner Theatredirector David Kleiler invited Sampson and Winokur to write a new score forFritz Lang's science fiction filmMetropolis.The pair composed many of the themes for the film, including the title theme "Metropolis" and the dance club scene, "Yoshiwara" and then brought percussionist Terry Donahue into the group before the first performance.[1][6]After Sampson's death in 1998,[7]the band was joined by keyboardistRoger Miller,guitarist ofpost-punkbandMission of Burma.[1]They have composed music for approximately 40 full-length silent films or collections of shorts.[8]They also composed scores for 19 feature-length silent film DVDs and BluRays that have been commercially released. They toured extensively (performing an estimated 1000 shows worldwide[4]) in 13 countries in North America, Europe, and New Zealand.[9]

After performing for over 30 years, Alloy Orchestra disbanded in 2021. Miller and Donahue continue the tradition of performing live music to silent films as members of theAnvil Orchestra.[10][11]

History

[edit]

After the premiere show in 1985, on December 31, 1991, Winokur and Sampson accepted a show for Boston'sFirst Night,to perform music on a large scale junk sculpture in theBoston Common.The two organizers invited percussionists Michael Evans and Terry Donahue to join them. Next, in the summer of 1992, Sampson and Winokur were invited to contribute a new score forMetropolisat theCoolidge Corner Theatre.Then the two brought percussionist Terry Donahue into the group before the first performance.[1][6]Since that time Alloy devoted themselves to composing and performing new music for silent films. The Alloy Orchestra developed an extensive repertoire of music and sounds that it performed during the projection of silent films. Its three musicians used an array of found objects and electronics as well as traditional percussion, wind and keyboard instruments.[12]In addition to publishing scores for silent film releases, the group also recorded a number of CDs of their film music. The first wasNew Music for Silent Filmsthrough Accurate Records.[13]It was followed in 1995 by the albumLonesome,which appeared through BIB Records.[14]The collectionSilentsfrom 1997 brought together the contemporary scores for the filmsPlain Crazy,The Lost World,Nosferatu,Metropolis,andThe Unknown.[15]Slapstick Masters,music for four short silent comedies, was then released on Accurate Records.The Last Command,Underworld,and finallyThe Complete Score for Metropoliswere self-released.

The ensemble performed at film festivals and a variety of cultural events in the US and abroad,[16]including:Telluride Film Festival,[17]theFilm Society of Lincoln Center,[18]The Roger Ebert Festival,[19]The TCM Festival,National Gallery of Art,AFI Silver,Maryland Film Festival,Cornell Cinema,[20]Hamilton College,San Francisco Silent Film Festival,Pordenone Silent Film Festival,[21]The Louvre,[22]New Zealand International Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival,[23]Vancouver International Film Festival,[24]Mass Moca,[25]and many others.[26]They also performed on tour throughout the United States at local movie houses, such as Boston'sSomerville Theatre,The Coolidge Corner,Ragtag Cinema,and theEnglert Theatre.[12]The trio revised their scores as better and more integral prints of films become available. For instance, they performed a new score to accompany the recently restored version ofFritz Lang'sMetropolisat theTCM Classic Movie Festivalin April 2010.[27]

Alloy often worked in collaboration with film archives and collectors, such as: Film Preservation Associates, Lobster Films,George Eastman House,British Film Institute,Harold Lloyd Estate,Douris Films,Munich Film Archive,and the Lumiere Institute. The group endeavored to display the best available prints at their shows. For example, Alloy acquired its own new print ofDziga Vertov'sMan with a Movie CamerafromGosfilmofond.Alloy and wrote its own score based on Vertov's notes for the film's 1928 premiere.[28]Alloy's director, Ken Winokur, restored and released new 35mm and digital prints ofPhantom of the Opera,Son of the SheikandThe Eagle.[29]

Alloy released many DVDs, Blu-rays, and CDs. The group published seven CDs of their film music. The first wasNew Music for Silent Filmsthrough Accurate Records.[13]It was followed in 1995 by the albumLonesome,which appeared through BIB Records.[14]The collectionSilentsfrom 1997 brought together the contemporary scores for the filmsPlain Crazy,The Lost World,Nosferatu,Metropolis,andThe Unknown.[15]Masters of Slapstick,music for 4 short silent comedies, was released on Accurate Records. In 2000,[30]The Last Command,Underworld,and finallyThe Complete Score for Metropoliswere self-released.

In addition to publishing scores for silent film releases, the group also recorded a number of CDs of their film music. The first wasNew Music for Silent Filmsthrough Accurate Records.[13]It was followed in 1995 by the albumLonesome,which appeared through BIB Records.[14]The collectionSilentsfrom 1997 brought together the contemporary scores for the filmsPlain Crazy,The Lost World,Nosferatu,Metropolis,andThe Unknown.[15]Slapstick Masters, music for 4 short silent comedies, was then released on Accurate Records. The Last Command, Underworld,and finally The Complete Score for Metropolis were self released.

Entertainment Weeklyput the ensemble on its list of the 100 most creative people or groupings in the entertainment world.Terry GrossonNational Public Radiocalled the trio "one of the pioneers in composing new music for old movies" andLloyd Schwartzdiscussed their recording of scores to a pair ofBuster Keatonfilms: "Most silent movie music just fills the void. Some of it even gets in the way. But the Alloy Orchestra really helps us see what we're watching and often the music, whether driving or fanciful, is worth listening to on its own."[31]

In addition to their work on silent films, Alloy Orchestra composed music for contemporary films, includingFast, Cheap & Out of ControlbyErrol Morris,Dragonflies, the Baby Criesby Jane Gillooly andVakvaganyby Ben Meade. In 2014 a recording of the music for the filmMan with a Movie Camerawas released on double vinyl byThird Man Records.[32]

Membership

[edit]
  • Ken Winokur - Director, percussion, clarinet[6]
  • Terry Donahue - Percussion, accordion, musical saw
  • Roger C. Miller - Keyboard
  • Caleb Sampson - Keyboards

Critical reception

[edit]

Anne MidgetteofThe New York Timessaid the orchestra was "fast becoming the country's leading avant-garde interpreter of silent films."[33]She noted that the group had been producing at least one score yearly since 1991, and thatBlackmail"showed it to have the ideal qualities one hopes for in a fusion of elements: attractiveness combined with endurance".[6]Roger Ebertcalled Alloy Orchestra "the best in the world at accompanying silent films".[34]A reviewer inThe Georgia Straightwrote that the orchestra "has scored almost 30 silent films, crafting a unique sonic signature for each",[35]whileKenneth TuranofThe Los Angeles Timessaid, "Whatever's on the screen, the Alloy Orchestra makes it even more alive".[17]FilmmakerGuy Maddincalled them "the maestros of sproing-and-chunk grandeur".[36]

Releases

[edit]

Blu-ray and DVD

[edit]
  • L'inhumaine, Blu-ray (Flicker Alley)
  • Phantom of the Opera, Blu-ray and DVD (Kino Lorber)
  • Black Pirate, DVD (Kino International)
  • Man with the Movie Camera, Blu-ray, DVD, Laser disc and VHS (Image Entertainment)
  • STRIKE!, DVD (Image Entertainment)
  • Fatty Arbuckle Vol. I and II, DVD (Kino International)
  • The General/Steamboat Bill, Jr., DVD (Image Entertainment, Flicker Alley)[37]
  • Slapstick Masters, DVD (Image Entertainment, Flicker Alley)
  • The Lost World, DVD (Image Entertainment)
  • Phantom of the Opera, Blu-ray and DVD (Image Entertainment, Kino Lorber)
  • Dragonflies the Baby Cries, DVD (Self published by Jane Gillooly)
  • Manslaughter, DVD (Kino International)
  • Wild and Weird, DVD (Flicker Alley)
  • Son of the Sheik, Blu-ray and DVD (Kino Lorber, Box 5)
  • The Eagle, Blu-ray and DVD (Kino Lorber)
  • Lon Chaney Collection, (The Unknown), Blu-ray and DVD (Warner Home Video)
  • Last Command, Blu-ray and DVD (Criterion Collection)
  • Underworld, Blu-ray and DVD (Criterion Collection)

CD and records

[edit]
  • New Music for Silent Films,CD (Accurate Records, 1994)
  • Silents,CD (Accurate Records, 1997)
  • Lonesome,CD (Bib Records, 1995)
  • Metropolis,CD - 2 disk set (Alloy Orchestra)
  • Last Command,CD (Alloy Orchestra)
  • Underworld,CD (Alloy Orchestra)
  • Man with a Movie Camera,vinyl - 2 record set (Third Man Records, 2014)
  • Metropolis,MP3 CD (Alloy Orchestra)

References

[edit]
  1. ^abcdMacDonald, Scott (Summer 2020).""The Film is our Director": Interview with Ken Winokur, Terry Donahue and Roger Miller - the Alloy Orchestra ".Film History.32(2): 121–143.doi:10.2979/filmhistory.32.2.06.S2CID229198281– via Project MUSE.
  2. ^Staff report."Alloy Orchestra returns to Cornell Cinema this weekend".The Ithaca Journal.Retrieved2022-05-10.
  3. ^VIFFEST (2015-04-01)."Exciting Event: Alloy Orchestra Presents Wild & Weird Short Films for VIFF High".VIFF Blog.Retrieved2022-05-10.
  4. ^abTCFF (2013-07-26)."The Alloy Orchestra and a History of Silent Film Music".Traverse City Film Festival.Retrieved2022-05-10.
  5. ^"Alloy Orchestra | Encyclopedia".encyclopedia.Retrieved2022-05-05.
  6. ^abcdMidgette, Anne (2007-02-09)."Give Me Scotland Yard and Dial M for Music".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.Retrieved2022-05-05.
  7. ^"Caleb Sampson Obituary".Sun Journal.RetrievedDecember 11,2012.
  8. ^@ilpublicmedia (2016-04-18)."The Alloy Orchestra: 25 Years of Creating New Music For Old Silent Movies".Illinois Public Media.Retrieved2022-05-10.
  9. ^"SOUND OF SILENTS: ALLOY ORCHESTRA. - Free Online Library".thefreelibrary.Retrieved2022-05-10.
  10. ^Sullivan, Jim (July 8, 2021)."After Three Decades, The Alloy Orchestra Has Disbanded".WBUR.Boston University.RetrievedMay 7,2023.
  11. ^"The Anvil Orchestra".AnvilOrchestra.n.d.RetrievedMay 6,2024.
  12. ^abBiographyon the Official Website, (accessed January 3, 2015).
  13. ^abcListingof the New Music for Silent Films album on Discogs, (accessed January 3, 2015).
  14. ^abcListingfor theLonesomealbum on Discogs, (accessed January 3, 2015).
  15. ^abcListingfor theSilentscollection on Discogs, (accessed January 3, 2015).
  16. ^"Alloy Orchestra".Indiana University Cinema.Retrieved2022-05-05.[permanent dead link]
  17. ^ab"Alloy Orchestra performing 'Phantom of the Opera' at Cinefamily".Los Angeles Times.2013-04-24.Retrieved2022-05-05.
  18. ^"L'Inhumaine with the Alloy Orchestra".Film at Lincoln Center.Retrieved2022-05-05.
  19. ^O'Malley, Sheila."Alloy Orchestra Accompanies Lon Chaney Classic" He Who Gets Slapped "| Festivals & Awards | Roger Ebert".rogerebert.Retrieved2022-05-05.
  20. ^Hwang, Catherine (2016-11-08)."Metropolis: Alloy Orchestra Come to Cornell Cinema".The Cornell Daily Sun.Retrieved2022-05-05.
  21. ^Turan, Kenneth (November 2003).Sundance to Sarajevo: Film Festivals and the World They Made.University of California Press.ISBN978-0-520-24072-8.
  22. ^photo, Staff | Courtesy (18 September 2015)."Alloy Orchestra accompanies 'Man with a Movie Camera' at Ross".The Daily Nebraskan.Retrieved2022-05-05.
  23. ^"Metropolis".Seattle Weekly.2010-10-18.Retrieved2022-05-05.
  24. ^"Alloy Orchestra creates a radical soundtrack for three silent-film masterpieces".The Georgia Straight.2010-07-21.Retrieved2022-05-05.
  25. ^Staff, Berkshire Eagle (7 August 2014)."Mass MoCA: Alloy Orchestra to play live score".The Berkshire Eagle.Retrieved2022-05-05.
  26. ^"Alloy Orchestra".Santa Fe New Mexican.25 October 2013.Retrieved2022-05-05.
  27. ^WBUR:Andrea Sea, "Retro 'Metropolis:' Boston Trio Re-Scores A Sci-Fi Classic," April 23, 2010,accessed June 7, 2010
  28. ^Listingand toured extensively with the film (film print accessed January 3, 2015).
  29. ^"HERE &".Washington Post.ISSN0190-8286.Retrieved2022-05-05.
  30. ^Jazz, All About (2000-04-01)."Alloy Orchestra: Masters Of Slapstick album review @ All About Jazz".All About Jazz.Retrieved2022-05-10.
  31. ^National Public Radio:Lloyd Schwartz, "The Alloy Orchestra: Silent Movie Scores," March 16, 2004,accessed June 7, 2010
  32. ^Newsitemon the Third Man Records website, October 2, 2014.
  33. ^Strauss, Neil (1997-08-08)."Vamping the Vampire".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.Retrieved2022-05-05.
  34. ^TCFF (2013-07-26)."The Alloy Orchestra and a History of Silent Film Music".Traverse City Film Festival.Retrieved2022-05-05.
  35. ^"Optotracing: Getting the most out of plant biomass".doi:10.21203/rs.2.15600/v1.{{cite journal}}:Cite journal requires|journal=(help)
  36. ^Johnston, Phillip (2021-08-12).Silent Films/Loud Music: New Ways of Listening to and Thinking about Silent Film Music.Bloomsbury Publishing USA.ISBN978-1-5013-6642-0.
  37. ^Schwartz, Lloyd (2004-03-16)."The Alloy Orchestra: Silent Movie Scores".NPR.Retrieved2022-05-05.

Sources

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