Music for Man with a Movie Camera

For over a year film historian Richard Bossons has been collaborating with the composer Leo Geyer on a project to recreate the only known score for Dziga Vertov’s film Man with a Movie Camera. In 1995, film scholar Yuri Tsivian published his translation of a set of hand-written notes by Vertov detailing the accompaniment he wanted for his film. Tsivian also translated typewritten cue sheets, thought to have been based on Vertov’s notes, created by three composers–A Grin, N Vaisbain, and V. Jenczijevsky–commissioned by the state cinema organisation Sovkino to create a Conspectus–or cue sheet–for the 1929 premiere. Like cue sheets used in the West, this one contained small snippets of music from the ballet, symphonic, and opera repertoire, and it differs from Vertov’s notes considerably. Nonetheless, the cue sheets offer an important glimpse into Soviet silent film scoring practices, and Bossons’ and Geyer’s score will be a great contribution to the scholarship of silent film music.

Bossons and I have corresponded quite a bit about his project, and has given me permission to share what what he and Geyer have done so far. Bossons writes:

In 1995, Yuri Tsivian published his translation of two documents discovered in the Dziga Vertov archive in the Russian State Archive of Literature and Art, Moscow, in Griffithiana No. 54 (October). Document 1 consists of hand- written notes by Vertov of a ‘Music Scenario’ for the accompaniment of his film.

Document 1 by Yuri Tsivian, showing Vertov’s intentions for music accompanying Man with a Movie Camera

The second document comprises typewritten cue sheets by three composers seemingly based on Vertov’s notes. Sovkino approved this ‘Musical Conspectus’ a week before the first screening of the film in Moscow so it was presumably intended for the orchestras in the two cinemas used for the premiere on April 9, 1929.

There have been many attempts to provide a score for Man with a Movie Camera, but this is the only documented accompaniment to the film. Surprisingly, it has not been recreated before now. Composer Leo Geyer and film historian Richard Bossons have collaborated to turn the cue sheets into a score to mark the 95th anniversary of the premiere in 2024.

Document 2 by Yuri Tsivian showing the music arranged by other composers for Man with a Movie Camera’s Moscow premiere

Bossons wrote a comparison between the musical cues suggested by the official composers and what Vertov wanted. One example:

SEQUENCE 2.

SEQUENCE DIGEST

Silent orchestra, the booth, the projectionist is ready, the film starts running.

SEQUENCE LENGTH: 35s

MUSICAL CHARACTER (movement, dynamics)

Silence, pause for the piano player, who must depict rhythmically the striking of a clock.

INDICATED PIECE

Complete pause.

VERTOV’S NOTES FOR SEQUENCE 2 (his Sequence 3)

  1. The silent orchestra. No music is heard. Only the tick-tock of a clock.

NOTES

Vertov doesn’t specify what should be used to create the clock sound. The Conspectus calls for a piano, which isn’t a suitable instrument to make this sound. As the Goskino #1 orchestra does not include a piano (not visible in the film) the clock is depicted by the sound of two different size wooden blocks.

 

SEQUENCE 3.

SEQUENCE DIGEST

The conductor waves his baton, the orchestra starts playing.

SEQUENCE LENGTH: 17s

MUSICAL CHARACTER (movement, dynamics)

Bravura.

INDICATED PIECE

Continue the last 6/8 from the Overture to ‘Giralda’.

VERTOV’S NOTES FOR SEQUENCE 3 (his sequence 4)

  1. [From the moment] the orchestra starts playing – up to [the end of the shot showing] the figure ‘1’ rising. Cheerful music welcomes the entrance of the figure ‘1’.

NOTES

The Conspectus ends the music before the ‘1’ starts rising. The beginning and end of this excerpt from ‘Giralda’ was arranged to suit the action of the conductor (though the timing is different to the unknown music being played by the orchestra).

Bossons wrote me recently to say that they had “managed to track down all the pieces except the Miceli and an unknown composer Dorsini.” For the missing works, they are using similar materials for the reconstruction.

We are following the Conspectus closely, but inevitably most of the suggested pieces are either too short (needing additional music ‘in the style of’), or too long (needing an appropriate excerpt to suit the film sequence, and a modified beginning and end). Even the Bodleian has been unable to source some of the more obscure pieces so Leo is having to compose music based on other scores by the composer (eg the Miceli at the end of Reel 1). Additionally, the Massenet, for example, had to be re-arranged to suit the action on screen as it was unsuitable otherwise.

“To avoid copyright on recordings,” Bossons writes, “we are scanning sheet music to get the notation electronically which is reflected in the sound quality (best to listen through headphones or via good speakers!). This means that we can readily obtain the scores for live performance and recording, which is our intention.”

We have completed Reel 1 and half of Reel 2 and I thought you might like to hear what we have done so far. Some of the timing needs to be adjusted, and the sound quality is due to the files being compressed for easier uploading. There is a possibility that we can record the score with an live orchestra in due course. So far, to our surprise, this attempt by three official composers (largely ignoring Vertov’s instructions) works quite well, and adds a period charm to the film. I hope you enjoy it, and I would welcome any comments!

You can listen to the reconstructed score here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8Lv4gQWpUM.
Bossons writes, “Please note that This is a ‘working model’ based on the Lobster Films restoration of the film, and is not intended to be released. The score will be recorded by an orchestra and published with a new restoration of the film by Eye Film Museum, Amsterdam.”

I can’t wait to hear it!

Library of Congress silent film music digitized

SFSMA board member Paul Allen Sommerfeld has been leading this project to digitize the Silent Film Scores and Arrangements Collection at the Library of Congress! It’s a great new resource for silent film music. Here’s what the library writes:

About this Collection

Music and sound have always served an integral role in film, and the Silent Film Scores and Arrangements digital collection offers unique insight into that development. The collection includes over 3,000 items published or created for use in silent film accompaniment between 1904 – 1927. These items include scores written for specific films, cue sheets that compile melodies for use at certain moments in specific films, and stock music composed or arranged for general use in silent film. Scores and arrangements included in this collection include piano scores, full or reduced orchestral scores, instrumental parts, or just melodic incipits. The majority of the items come from music publishers based in the United States and Europe, but some arrived as copyright submissions by everyday citizens. Composers from the famous to the obscure (many used pseudonyms) appear throughout the collection.

Items in this collection came from copyright submissions, the Jack Butterworth collection, and a gift from Mrs. Charles Moore. Also included, courtesy of the Museum of Modern Art (NYC), are microfilm scans of over 800 items physically held by the museum.

Some additional materials still protected by copyright are available to visitors onsite in the Library’s restricted Stacks website. They will be added to this digital collection as they enter the public domain.

CONTENT WARNING: Some titles and terminology used in this digital collection may reflect racist, sexist, ableist, misogynistic/misogynoir, and xenophobic opinions and attitudes that were deemed acceptable at the time of their publication.

Zip

Title: Zip

Author: Hugo Frey

Publisher: Robbins-Engel, Inc., 1925

Series: Popular Standard Series

Format: Sheet Music

Document type: Musical Score

All authors/contributors: Hugo Frey

OCLC Number:

Contents:

Notes: For Piano or Organ (Conductor), Galop

Source: Carl Braun Collection

SFSMA ID: 9qspDFPkur

Download: PDF

Yearning

Title: Yearning

Author: Wm. Chas. Schoenfeld

Publisher: Photo Play Music Co., 1925

Series:

Format: Sheet Music

Document type: Musical Score

All authors/contributors: Wm. Chas. Schoenfeld

OCLC Number:

Contents:

Notes: For Piano (Conductor), Love Poem

Source: Carl Braun Collection

SFSMA ID: eH22nrkjfs

Download: PDF

The World Is Mine

Title: The World Is Mine

Author: Byron Gay

Publisher: Robbins-Engel, Inc., 1925

Series: Gold Seal Library Series

Format: Sheet Music

Document type: Musical Score

All authors/contributors: Byron Gay, Orch. Scored by D. Savino

OCLC Number:

Contents:

Notes: For Piano, For I Have You

Source: Carl Braun Collection

SFSMA ID: jQFUqOFFoP

Download: PDF

Why, Dear?

Title: Why, Dear?

Author: Henry R. Cohen

Publisher: Jerome H. Remick, Co., 1921

Series:

Format: Sheet Music

Document type: Musical Score

All authors/contributors: Henry R. Cohen

OCLC Number:

Contents:

Notes: For Piano

Source: Carl Braun Collection

SFSMA ID: 5NtaZnBFF0

Download: PDF

When Love Comes Stealing

Title: When Love Comes Stealing

Author: Erno Rapeé

Publisher: Robbins-Engel, Inc., 1923

Series: Gold Seal Library Series

Format: Sheet Music

Document type: Musical Score

All authors/contributors: Erno Rapeé, Arr. by W.C. Polla

OCLC Number:

Contents:

Notes: For Piano or Organ (Conductor)

Source: Carl Braun Collection

SFSMA ID: 45Efe7vUh8

Download: PDF

When Knighthood Was In Flower

Title: When Knighthood Was In Flower

Author: W. Frederick Peters

Publisher: Robbins-Engel, Inc., 1923

Series: Popular Standard Series

Format: Sheet Music

Document type: Musical Score

All authors/contributors: W. Frederick Peters

OCLC Number:

Contents:

Notes: For Piano

Source: Carl Braun Collection

SFSMA ID: etkPK483kn

Download: PDF

Wedding March

Title: Wedding March

Author: Reginald de Koven

Publisher: The Boston Music Co., 1918

Series: P.C.L. No.41

Format: Sheet Music

Document type: Musical Score

All authors/contributors: Reginald de Koven

OCLC Number:

Contents:

Notes: For Piano-Conductor

Source: Carl Braun Collection

SFSMA ID: RoJKdDmT5g

Download: PDF

Water Lilies

Title: Water Lilies

Author: Floyd J. St Clair

Publisher: Sam Fox Pub. Co., 1914

Series: Sam Fox Theatre Pianists and Organists Series

Format: Sheet Music

Document type: Musical Score

All authors/contributors: Floyd J. St Clair

OCLC Number:

Contents:

Notes: For Piano

Source: Carl Braun Collection

SFSMA ID: Lpm5wfiZcY

Download: PDF

Wandering Sprite

Title: Wandering Sprite

Author: J.C. Engelbrecht

Publisher: Miller & Beacham, 1859

Series:

Format: Sheet Music

Document type: Musical Score

All authors/contributors: J.C. Engelbrecht

OCLC Number:

Contents:

Notes: For Piano, To Miss Ellen A. Meade

Source: Carl Braun Collection

SFSMA ID: BzZQ9EEjht

Download: PDF

Vision d’Amour

Title: Vision d’Amour

Author: Rudolf Friml

Publisher: G. Schirmer, Inc., 1921

Series:

Format: Sheet Music

Document type: Musical Score

All authors/contributors: Rudolf Friml, Transcribed by Paul Th. Miersch

OCLC Number:

Contents:

Notes: For Piano, Love-Song

Source: Carl Braun Collection

SFSMA ID: hJnwtZhINt

Download: PDF

Violets

Title: Violets

Author: Erno Rappeé and William Axt

Publisher: Robbins-Engel, Inc., 1923

Series: Red Seal Concert Series

Format: Sheet Music

Document type: Musical Score

All authors/contributors: Erno Rappeé and William Axt

OCLC Number:

Contents:

Notes: For Piano or Organ (Conductor), Valse Lento

Source: Carl Braun Collection

SFSMA ID: iE90QDnvMm

Download: PDF

Valse Caprice

Title: Valse Caprice

Author: H. Gebhard

Publisher: Bach Music Co., 1918

Series:

Format: Sheet Music

Document type: Musical Score

All authors/contributors: H. Gebhard

OCLC Number:

Contents:

Notes: For Piano

Source: Carl Braun Collection

SFSMA ID: WJXeZV0Uu6

Download: PDF

Valse Triste

Title: Valse Triste

Author: Franz Von Vecsey

Publisher: Robbins Music Corporation, 1927

Series: Red Seal Concert Series

Format: Sheet Music

Document type: Musical Score

All authors/contributors: Franz Von Vecsey, Orch. by D. Savino

OCLC Number:

Contents:

Notes: For Piano, Melancolique

Source: Carl Braun Collection

SFSMA ID: 947gEtreCR

Download: PDF

Valse Poétique

Title: Valse Poétique

Author: Rudolf Friml

Publisher: G. Schirmer, Inc., 1905

Series:

Format: Sheet Music

Document type: Musical Score

All authors/contributors: Rudolf Friml

OCLC Number:

Contents:

Notes: For Piano, Op.13

Source: Carl Braun Collection

SFSMA ID: vOhDgOD9N2

Download: PDF

Valse Modern

Title: Valse Modern

Author: T. Henry Lodge

Publisher: Robbins-Engel, Inc., 1927

Series: Red Seal Concert Series

Format: Sheet Music

Document type: Musical Score

All authors/contributors: T. Henry Lodge

OCLC Number:

Contents:

Notes: For Piano or Organ (Conductor), Valse Grazioso

Source: Carl Braun Collection

SFSMA ID: Tr2ddlZKg7

Download: PDF

Valse Celeste

Title: Valse Celeste

Author: Edward Wittstein

Publisher: Robbins-Engel Inc., 1927

Series: Red Seal Concert Series

Format: Sheet Music

Document type: Musical Score

All authors/contributors: Edward Wittstein, Orch. by D. Savino

OCLC Number:

Contents:

Notes: For Piano, Minor Waltz

Source: Carl Braun Collection

SFSMA ID: lN63WmxRuq

Download: PDF

Valse Caprice

Title: Valse Caprice

Author: R.A. Newland

Publisher: Carlin & Lennox, 1889; The Carlin Music Co., 1911

Series:

Format: Sheet Music

Document type: Musical Score

All authors/contributors: R.A. Newland, Revised and Fingered by Walter S. Spankle

OCLC Number:

Contents:

Notes: For Piano, Op.7

Source: Carl Braun Collection

SFSMA ID: MSZbRkIlkI

Download: PDF

Two Lyric Pieces

Title: Two Lyric Pieces

Author: Bertram Srawley

Publisher: Geo. H. Sanders Co., 1925

Series: Unique Orchestral Repertoire No.7

Format: Sheet Music

Document type: Musical Score

All authors/contributors: Bertram Srawley, Arranged & Scored by Geo. H. Sanders

OCLC Number:

Contents:

  1. Disillusioned
  2. A Melodious Memory

Notes: For Conductor (Piano-Organ)

Source: Carl Braun Collection

SFSMA ID: bPtfozDtUS

Download: PDF

Two Little Girls In Blue

Title: Two Little Girls In Blue

Author: Paul Lannin & Vincent Youmans

Publisher: Harms Inc., 1921

Series:

Format: Sheet Music

Document type: Musical Score

All authors/contributors: Paul Lannin & Vincent Youmans, arranged by Milan Roder

OCLC Number:

Contents:

  1. The G*psy Trail
  2. Oh Me! Oh My!
  3. Just Like You
  4. Rice and Shoes
  5. Dolly
  6. Who’s Who With You
  7. Honeymoon

Notes: For Piano, Selection, incomplete

Source: Carl Braun Collection

SFSMA ID: lIWDjkyDR0

Download: PDF

Two American Sketches

Title: Two American Sketches

Author: Thomas Griselle

Publisher: Robbins Music Corporation, 1929

Series:

Format: Sheet Music

Document type: Musical Score

All authors/contributors: Thomas Griselle

OCLC Number:

Contents:

Notes: For Piano

Source: Carl Braun Collection

SFSMA ID: V1E7gk6dbf

Download: PDF