We use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) during our scanning and processing workflow to make the content of each page searchable. You can view the automatically generated text below as well as copy and paste individual pieces of text to quote in your own work.
Text recognition is never 100% accurate. Many parts of the scanned page may not be reflected in the OCR text output, including: images, page layout, certain fonts or handwriting.
Pictures and PichjretyOer
OVERTURE
FINGALS CAVE.
JANUARY 1925
Piano Conductor
Allegro moderate*
(Hawkes & Co.).
Everyone knows this rippling melody to which sea scenes are invariably screened.
one to see each picture beforehand and to suggest the most appropriate type of music for each scene therein.
Hence the "Tra-la-la-la " of my opening paragraph. Sitting there in the firm's private theatre, watching the film flit through, each scene or incident suggests to the expert viewer a certain kind of music — perhaps an actual piece. Indeed, the usual plan is for him to name a particular selection in every case. In the next instalment of this article I will give a fragment of the " musical suggestions " compiled by that well-known London musical director, J. B. Hastings, for the film Between Friends.
Such musical suggestion sheets, which are sent to every kinema which books the film in question, also include " effects " cues Thus, here and there throughout the lists you will find such remarks as : " Observe pistol shot," " Note chiming bells," and so on.
There are two kinds of selections to accompany films. Firstly, there is the music that is suitable because of its SOUND, that is, because of the emotion it conveys. Secondly, there is the music that is suitable because of its NAME— its TITLE.
As an example of the first, it is only necessary to point out the popular " Hebrides " overtifre by Mendelssohn known as " Fingal's Cave." This is so obviously suggestive of the sea, that kinema orchestras naturally apply it to a sea scene.
" Fingal's Cave " was written by Mendelssohn on the very spot which gave it its title. It starts off with a theme of about seven notes played " bass." This theme is reiterated all the way through the overture, from the
A Jazz scene in "Between Friends" and part of the music Herbert Parsons wrote for it.
soft parts indicative of calm, during the bars typifying approaching storm. a restless sea, and squawking sea-gulls, and also with the thunderous episodes conveying the impression of angry waves booming into the mouth of the cave. Such is its nature that a competent orchestra leader can select those parts he wants and repeats them ad lib. Ships ploughing their way through
angry seas are usually accompanied by Wagner's " Flying Dutchman " overture, rather like a more vivid edition of " Fingal's Cave." Herbert Parsons. (Reproductions of copyright musical selections by kind permission of Hawkes & Co., Winthorp & Rogers, Chappcll & Co., Lafleur, Boswortlt and Co., and H. Milter & Co.) (To be continued).