Stummfilm-Live

Silent Film Concert "The ancient Law"
2025-05-03 20:30 - 22:00 UTC | Kirche St. Martin, Rheinbach, Bachstraße 2, Rheinbach, Nordrhein-Westfalen, 53359, Deutschland
Sa. 03.05.25
Rheinbach, Church St. Martin
8:30 pm

Info:
General

Here’s the translation of the text to English:
Germany 1923
Director: E. A. Dupont
Length: approx. 135 minutes (without intermission)
New musical score for organ, Jewish chant, percussion, and glass harp by Wilfried Kaets
Cast: Henny Porten, Ernst Deutsch, Ruth Weyer, and others.

Short and Sweet:
In the middle of the 19th century, the rabbi’s son, Baruch, decides to leave his Galician shtetl against his father’s wishes to become an actor.
He first joins a traveling theater company, where Austrian Archduchess Elisabeth Theresia takes a liking to him and uses her influence to secure him an engagement at the Vienna Burgtheater.Baruch succeeds in becoming a celebrated and successful star. The “Romeo with temple curls,” portrayed by Ernst Deutsch, wins the heart of the Duchess.This opens the path to assimilation, but it is a rocky one, forcing him to choose between his traditional faith and values and his new environment, resulting in painful decisions.
Baruch returns home, where his childhood love, Esther, has been waiting for him. He marries her and takes her to Vienna.His father, Rabbi Mayer, is horrified by this life and disowns his son…When he later attends a performance of Don Carlos with his son, he is deeply impressed by his son’s acting talent, sees it as a grace from God, and forgives him.
The story contrasts the (faith-based) views of different generations and professions (e.g., the deeply religious rabbi versus the world of actors, which he believes to be sinful), as well as the prejudices of country and city (a small Jewish shtetl versus Vienna’s big city life), and the racist prejudices of the other actors against “the Jew.” These conflicting worlds stand symbolically for the necessary tolerance that humanity requires.
The film’s newly restored version, based on old censorship cards, was first premiered at the Berlinale in February 2018.From the Film-Kurier No. 244, October 30, 1923: “Dupont succeeds in making the atmosphere of the very different worlds of this film visible: the ghetto milieu, separated by an almost insurmountable wall from the world outside, and this world itself, vividly brought to life through 1860s Vienna, which is carried by the rhythms of Johann Strauss’ waltzes, where the Burgtheater represents the epitome of all art.”
Musical:
The music is a new composition that draws on the cine-historical approaches of silent film music from the 1920s. It combines new sound colors of organ and percussion with old Chassidic and Yiddish chants. This is reflected formally through the use of the ethereal glass harp, as well as in the actual musical score, which presents a contemporary composer’s approach without attempting to replicate old models. This results in an exciting balance of “old images” and “new sounds,” which do not simply run contrapuntally alongside or against the film, but instead create a dramaturgically coherent interplay, thus giving special weight to the highly emotional subject matter.
The instrumentation reflects the extraordinary nature of the theme: concert organ, Jewish cantor (tenor), and large percussion ensemble, including the rarely heard glass harp.
More Information about: “The ancient Law“

Silent Film Concert "City Girl"
2025-03-29 20:00 - 21:30 | Black Box, Schulstraße 4, Düsseldorf, NRW, 40213, Deutschland
Sa. 29.03. 2025
8pm
Cinema Black Box
Info:
General:
USA 1930
Register: Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau
Drama b/w
85 min.
Murnau’s film, which almost entirely does without intertitles, is considered a milestone in film history and the pinnacle of German silent cinema.
Short and Sweet:
Farmer’s son Tom meets a beautiful woman in the city who dreams of life in the countryside. Against the wishes of his extremely authoritarian father, Tom brings the young waitress home as his wife to the farm. However, due to Tom’s father, who treats the lively beauty as an intruder, and the envious desire of the farm workers, an increasingly unbearable atmosphere develops. The catastrophe makes its way inexorably during a dramatic stormy night…
Musical Score:
New musical score for solo piano by Wilfried Kaets.
More Informations: “City Girl“

Silent Film Concert "The Cameraman"
2024-12-21 20:00 - 22:00 | Black Box, Schulstraße 4, Düsseldorf, NRW, 40213, Deutschland
Info
Sa. 21.12.248 pmCinema Black Box
General
Released: USA 1928
Duration: ca. 72 min
Register: Edward Sedgwick
Actors: Buster Keaton, Marceline Day u.a.
About
The clumsy street photographer Buster (Buster Keaton) is plagued by bad luck. When he meets the beautiful Sally (Marceline Day), he instantly falls hopelessly head over heels in love. Sally works as a secretary for the MGM newsreel. To win her heart and be near her, Buster takes a job as a cameraman for the MGM newsreel—but only manages to deliver disastrous footage. Sally then gives him a tip to film the New Year’s celebration in Chinatown:
And indeed, a wild shootout breaks out between mafia gangs of the Chinese Triads… Comedy legend “Stoneface” Buster Keaton once again delights in one of his final silent films, with brilliant sequences, an action-packed, chaotic storyline, and of course, a touching love story!
Musical Score
New musical score for cinema organ and simultaneous piano by Wilfried Kaets.
More Informations about :”The Cameraman“

Silent Film Concert "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari"
2024-11-30 20:00 - 21:30 | Black Box, Schulstraße 4, Düsseldorf, NRW, 40213, Deutschland
Info:
Sa. 30.11. 248pmBlack Box
Short and Sweet
Germany 1919Register: Robert WieneScript: Carl MayerBuildings: Walter Röhrig, Walter Reimann, Hermann Warm
Actors:Werner Krauß – CaligariConradt Veidt – CesareLil Dagover – Janeand many more… ca. 65min
Action:
One of the absolute film classics of German production. Caligari established the international fame of German cinematic Expressionism.
Brief Synopsis: The inner story of this expressionist silent film classic tells the tale of the mad Dr. Caligari, who, with the help of a somnambulist (sleepwalker) named Cesare, spreads fear and terror in a city. During the day, Caligari exhibits Cesare, who suffers from a strange, trance-like illness, at a carnival. However, at night, under Caligari’s hypnotic influence, Cesare commits crimes…
The most famous film from 1919, and one of the absolute film classics of German production in general. Caligari established the international fame of German cinematic Expressionism.
Musical Score
Historical 16mm cinema version on a large screen at the correct reduced silent film speed.
Music version for cinema organ and simultaneous piano, plus large percussion and live electronics.”
Let me know if you need any more translations or adjustments!
Performers
Wilfried Kaets – Cinema organ, simultaneous piano, and sound effects Norbert Krämer – Percussion, live electronics”

More Information about: “The Cabinet of Dr.Caligari“

Silent Film Concert "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde "
2024-11-16 20:00 - 22:00 | Filmforum im Museum Ludwig, Bischofsgartenstraße 1, Köln, NRW, 50667, Deutschland
Sa, 16. November 2024,
8pm
Bischofsgartenstr. 1
Entry 7 €

Info:
General:
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
USA 1920
Register: John S. Robertson
80 Min
Short and Sweet:
The young, virtuous doctor Dr. Jekyll is a respected scientist and benefactor who treats the needy for free at his clinic. He has little time for his fiancée, Millicent, so her future father-in-law decides to test him by tempting him with seductive entertainment at a nightclub.
In an attempt to resist possible temptations, Jekyll comes up with the idea of separating the good and evil in the human soul. In his laboratory, he develops a serum that transforms him into the ruthless Mr. Hyde, through whom he wreaks havoc.
Jekyll increasingly withdraws from public life because he can barely control the effects of the potion and is unable to reverse the transformations. Or does Jekyll even take pleasure in the cruelty of his alter ego…?!”
Musical Score:
New music version for solo piano by Wilfried KaetsThe music was created as a reminiscence of the great tradition of silent film music from the 1920s in Germany.It is structurally based on the film music dramaturgical approaches of the silent film era, and also incorporates some themes from film archives of the 1920s, but it is a new composition.This creates an exciting balance of ‘old images’ and ‘new sounds,’ which do not simply run contrapuntally alongside or against the film, but generate a dramaturgically coherent integration.
The music will sound as it might have in a cinema in 1901 – it aims to bring the qualities of the film to life in its own musical language, closely aligned with the original material, breathing acoustic life into the silent performance.

About:
“Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde from 1920 is a film adaptation of the story The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by the British author Robert Louis Stevenson.The dual role is superbly portrayed by the famous stage actor John Barrymore.With his pantomimic performance of gestures and facial expressions, he carries out the transformation from the flawless gentleman Jekyll into the monstrous Mr. Hyde for the first time in a single shot, without makeup or special effects.”

Silent Film Concerts "The Cameraman"
2024-11-03 18:00 - 20:00 | evg. Sophienkirche Wuppertal, Sophienstraße 3, Wuppertal, NRW, 42103
Info
11.03.20246 pm
General
Released: USA 1928
Duration: ca. 72 min
Register: Edward Sedgwick
Actors: Buster Keaton, Marceline Day u.a.
About
The clumsy street photographer Buster (Buster Keaton) is plagued by bad luck. When he meets the beautiful Sally (Marceline Day), he instantly falls hopelessly head over heels in love. Sally works as a secretary for the MGM newsreel. To win her heart and be near her, Buster takes a job as a cameraman for the MGM newsreel—but only manages to deliver disastrous footage. Sally then gives him a tip to film the New Year’s celebration in Chinatown:
And indeed, a wild shootout breaks out between mafia gangs of the Chinese Triads… Comedy legend “Stoneface” Buster Keaton once again delights in one of his final silent films, with brilliant sequences, an action-packed, chaotic storyline, and of course, a touching love story!
Musical Score
New musical score for cinema organ and simultaneous piano by Wilfried Kaets.
More Informations about :”The Cameraman“

Family Day at the Film Museum
2024-04-28 15:00 - 17:00 | Black Box, Schulstraße 4, Düsseldorf, NRW, 40213, Deutschland
Wilfried Kaets explains the historic Welte cinema organ and talks about what it was like back in great-grandfather’s time, when films were still silent and accompanied live by musicians in the cinema.
There will also be short, funny silent films, and visitors even have the chance to try their hand at being silent film musicians themselves.

Silent Film Concert "The Thief of Bagdad"
2024-04-06 20:00 - 22:00 | Filmforum im Museum Ludwig, Bischofsgartenstraße 1, Köln, NRW, 50667, Deutschland
Saturday, 06. April 2024,
8 pm
Cologne, Bischofsgartenstr. 1
Admission: 7 €
Info
General:

The Thief of Bagdad
USA, 1924
Directed by: Raoul Walsh
Running time: 147 min
16mm silent film, English intertitles

Short and Sweet:
A clever thief competes with a Mongolian ruler for the hand of a beautiful princess.
However, what begins as a game unexpectedly turns into true love, complete with adventurous complications…
Musical Score:

New musical score by Wilfried Kaets for piano and sound playback:
The music is composed as a reminiscence of the great silent film scores of the 1920s.
It shifts between cinematic-historical, contemporary, and even experimental sounds—breathing “emotional life” into the film’s lavish images while also giving musical space to the director’s imaginative and experimental ideas.

About:
Actor Douglas Fairbanks himself came up with the idea for this adventure tale from One Thousand and One Nights, wrote the screenplay, and took on the role of producer.
At the time, he was at the height of his Hollywood career.
As a laughing thief and braggart, he roams the streets of the oriental city of Baghdad, which is under the rule of the Caliph.
With charm and brawn, he cleverly uses his many talents to get by each day.
But ultimately, he wants to prove himself worthy of winning the princess’s heart and, as a heroic fighter, overcomes numerous difficult trials.
This fantasy adventure—featuring special effects like a journey on a flying carpet and stylistic elements of expressionist cinema—is considered one of the masterpieces of silent film and remains an absolute must-see even 100 years later.
More Infos about the Movie: “The Thief of Bagdad”

Silent Film Concert "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari"
2024-01-21 20:00 - 21:00 | Black Box, Schulstraße 4, Düsseldorf, NRW, 40213, Deutschland
Info:
Sa. 30.11. 248pmBlack Box
Short and Sweet
Germany 1919Register: Robert WieneScript: Carl MayerBuildings: Walter Röhrig, Walter Reimann, Hermann Warm
Actors:Werner Krauß – CaligariConradt Veidt – CesareLil Dagover – Janeand many more… ca. 65min
Action:
One of the absolute film classics of German production. Caligari established the international fame of German cinematic Expressionism.
Brief Synopsis: The inner story of this expressionist silent film classic tells the tale of the mad Dr. Caligari, who, with the help of a somnambulist (sleepwalker) named Cesare, spreads fear and terror in a city. During the day, Caligari exhibits Cesare, who suffers from a strange, trance-like illness, at a carnival. However, at night, under Caligari’s hypnotic influence, Cesare commits crimes…
The most famous film from 1919, and one of the absolute film classics of German production in general. Caligari established the international fame of German cinematic Expressionism.
Musical Score
Historical 16mm cinema version on a large screen at the correct reduced silent film speed.
Music version for cinema organ and simultaneous piano, plus large percussion and live electronics.”
Let me know if you need any more translations or adjustments!
Performers
Wilfried Kaets – Cinema organ, simultaneous piano, and sound effects Norbert Krämer – Percussion, live electronics”

More Information about “The Cabinet of Dr.Caligari”

Silent Film Concert "Napoleon"
2023-12-16 16:00 - 22:00 | Black Box, Schulstraße 4, Düsseldorf, NRW, 40213, Deutschland
Sa. 16.12.23 16:00 Uhr
Black Box im Filmmuseum Düsseldorf
Schulstraße 4.
Info
General:
France, 1927
Directed by: Abel Gance
Running time: approx. 332 min
New musical score for cinema organ, simultaneous piano, and sound playback by Wilfried Kaets.
Short and Sweet:
This monumental French historical epic, running over 5 hours, portrays the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte—from his days as a cadet, where he first displays leadership during a snowball fight, through the turmoil of the French Revolution, and on to the Italian campaign, where he defies the generals and successfully executes his bold offensive strategy despite being outnumbered.
Musical Score:

New musical score for cinema organ, simultaneous piano, and sound playback by Wilfried Kaets.
The music shifts between cinematic-historical, contemporary, and experimental sounds, thus both breathing “emotional life” into the film’s lavish images and giving musical space to the director’s sometimes avant-garde ideas.
About:
The silent film was ahead of its time in terms of editing and techniques such as the use of handheld cameras; the final film reel was even shot using “Polyvision,” as a triptych.
For example, he had cameras with wind-up motors developed that were thrown into the air to film the action “from the perspective of the flying snowball”; or mounted cameras on horseback saddles…
Abel Gance’s plan to follow this first part with five more films could not be realized due to financial difficulties.

More About the Film: “Napoleon“

Silent Film Concert "Fräulein Else"
2023-11-05 18:00 - 20:00 | evg. Sophienkirche Wuppertal, Sophienstraße 3, Wuppertal, NRW, 42103
Sa. 05.11.23 17:00 Uhr
evg. Sophienkirche Wuppertal
Sophienstraße 3
Infos zum Film- Kurz und Knapp
Kurzinhalt:
D 1929 – Regie: Paul Czinner – Länge: ca. 90 min.
Drehbuch: Vorlage nach Arthur Schnitzler
Darsteller: Elisabeth Bergner – Fräulein Else Thalhof Albert Bassermann – Dr. Alfred Thalhof Albert Steinrück – Kunsthändler von Dorsday Adele Sandrock – Tante Emma
Neue Musikfassung von Wilfried Kaets für Orgel

Ausf.: Wilfried Kaets –Orgel

Kurz und knapp:
Fräulein Else ist ein berühmter deutscher Stummfilm von Paul Czinner nach der gleichnamigen Novelle von Arthur Schnitzler. Unter dessen Regie spielt Czinners spätere Ehefrau Elisabeth Bergner die Hauptrolle. Die gutbürgerliche Else Thalhof erhält von ihrer Mutter einen Brief, in dem steht, dass ihr Vater sich wegen Börsenspekulationen in großen Geldnöten befindet und Else bittet, den reichen Kunsthändler Dorsday um ein Darlehen zu ersuchen. Dorsday ist bereit, der Familie zu helfen, unterder Bedingung, dass er Else nackt sehen will….
Musikfassung:
Die Musikfassung von Wilfried Kaets für Orgel solo (Alternativversion für Flügel) spürt diesem Geist der spätbürgerlichen, zuweilen ins schwülstige gleitenden und dabei dennoch „leisen“ Athmosphäre nach, indem sie zwar neue Melodien, Harmonien und Klänge verwendet, dieser aber sowohl dem Geist der ausgehenden Stummfilmzeit Ende der 1920er Jahre als auch der Stimmung in der literarischen Vorlage des Schriftstellers Arthur Schnitzler nachspürt. Dadurch gelingt eine spannende Balance „alter Bilder“ und „neuer Töne“, die aber nicht einfach kontrapunktisch neben oder gegen den Film laufen, sondern eine dramaturgisch stimmige Verzahnung ganz im Sinne historischer Stummfilmmusikpraxis erzeugen.

Weiterc Infos zum Film: “Fräulein Else“

Silent Film Concert" Battleship Potemkin"
2023-10-21 20:00 - 21:30 | Filmforum Kölner Philharmonie, Bischofsgartenstraße 1, Köln
Sat. 21.10.23 8:00 PMFilm Forum of the Cologne PhilharmonieBischofsgartenstr. 1
Info:
General:
USSR 1925 – Directed by: Sergei Eisenstein – Length: approx. 70 min.
Screenplay: Nina Agadzhanova
Main Cast:

Vladimir Barsky – Commander Golikow

Ivan Bobrov – Young Sailor

Alexander Antonov – Grigori Vakulintchuk

New music version by Wilfried Kaets for piano, glass tubes, and sounds
Performance: Wilfried Kaets – Piano, Glass Harmonica, Sounds
Short and Sweet:
The plot is loosely based on the actual events of the Russian Revolution of 1905: the mutiny of the crew of the Russian warship Knjas Potjomkin Tawritscheski against their Tsarist officers. The battleship Potemkin had its world premiere on December 21, 1925, at the Moscow Bolshoi Theatre as the official anniversary film to celebrate the 1905 Revolution. As a propaganda film, it was meant to evoke strong emotional reactions in line with Soviet mass ideologies. However, it goes far beyond simple propaganda in both form and content and has been repeatedly recognized as one of the most influential and greatest films of all time.
Musical Score:

Eisenstein wanted each generation to compose its own music for his film. Over the decades, numerous different versions of music for the film have been created, the most famous of which is by Edmund Meisel in 1926, later adapted for orchestra by Mark-Andreas Schlingensiepen in 1985. Wilfried Kaets created an experimental score for piano, glass harmonica, and live electronics, which consciously positions itself as an independent “sound sculpture” alongside, on, and against the images. This approach aims to achieve both a dramaturgically cohesive integration of sequences and acts, as well as to create an active dialogue through counterpoint that complements the extraordinary montage of individual images into emotional content.

More Informations about: “Battleship Potemkin“

Silent Film Concert "GREED"
2023-09-23 20:00 - 22:30 | Black Box, Schulstraße 4, Düsseldorf, NRW, 40213, Deutschland
Sat. 23.09.20238:00 PMBlack Box
Info
General:
USA 1924 – Directed by: Erich von Stroheim – Length: approx. 140 min.
Screenplay: June Mathis and E.v. Stroheim based on the novel McTeague by Frank Norris
Cast: Zasu Pitts – Trina; Gibson Gowland – McTeague; Jean Hersholt – Marcus; and others.
Contributors: Wilfried Kaets – Piano; Jona Kaets – Page Turner
About the Film:
Greed is a silent film classic from 1924 directed by Erich von Stroheim, exploring the theme of human greed. It tells the story of a woman whose obsession with money after winning the lottery destroys her marriage and causes her to lose her social circle.
Plot:
McTeague, a simple man, works in a mine. He meets Trina, the fiancée of his friend Marcus, falls in love, and marries her. When Trina wins a large sum of money in the lottery, Marcus is overtaken by intense jealousy and believes he is entitled to part of the money…
Music Version:
The music version for Greed is quite special: this time it is not newly composed but performed using the original historical piano scores by film composer Leo A. Kempinski from 1924. These scores were discovered years ago, almost by accident, at a flea market in New York and made their way to Wilfried Kaets… Kaets spent months of detailed work practicing 158 pages of handwritten sheet music and will perform them live on the piano.
The adaptation process was complex due to the differences in the available sheet music compared to the film’s current condition. In many places, cuts or jumps had to be made, some of which had been altered by the original pianist who performed live during film screenings in 1924 due to film breaks.
Directions:
Address:
Cinema Black Boxat the Film Museum DüsseldorfSchulstr. 4
More Informations about: “Greed“

Silent Film Concert "The General"
2023-06-04 20:00 - 21:30 | evg. Johanneskirche Troisdorf, Viktoriastraße 1, Köln, 53480, Deutschland
About the Film:

So. 04.06.2320.00 Uhrevg. Johanneskirche Troisdorf

General
USA 1926
Directors: Buster Keaton, Clyde Bruckman
Cast:Buster Keaton: Johnny GrayMarion Mack: Annabelle Leeand many more
Length: approx. 80 minutes
Action:
The General is an action-comedy filmed in 1926, directed by and starring Buster Keaton. The film is set during the American Civil War and is based on the historically documented Andrews Raid of April 12, 1862. Train engineer Johnnie Gray single-handedly pursues his locomotive “The General,” which has been stolen by Union spies. With persistence, daring stunts, and ingenuity, he manages to reclaim both his engine and the affection of his beloved Annabelle Lee. The General is considered one of the most important comedies in film history.
Music:
New musical score by Wilfried Kaets for grand piano
More Informations about: “The General“

Stummfilmkonzert "Seven Chances"
2023-05-27 20:00 - 21:30 | Filmforum Kölner Philharmonie, Bischofsgartenstraße 1, Köln
Filmforum der Kölner PhilharmonieBischofsgartenstr. 1

Infos zum Film- Kurz und Knapp

Kurzinhalt:
Der erfolglose Geschäftsmann Jimmie Shannon (B. Keaton) steht kurz vor dem Bankrott, als er erfährt, dass er von seinem verstorbenen Großvater sieben Millionen Dollar erbt -allerdings nur, wenn er bis 7 Uhr abends desselben Tages verheiratet ist ! Das ist eine Herausforderung für den notorisch schüchternen Jimmie….
Zur Musik:
Die Musik orientiert sich strukturell an den filmmusikdramaturgischen Zugängen der Stummfilmzeit, verwendet auch zum Teil Themen aus Kinotheken der zwanziger Jahre, ist aber in weitesten Teilen eine Neukomposition. Die Musik wird so klingen, wie es 1925 in einem Kino hätte sein können – sie soll die Qualitäten des Films eigengesetzlich, eng an der Vorlage ausgerichtet musikalisch zum Leben bringen, dem stummen Spiel akustisches Leben einhauchen.
Anfahrt:

Filmforum der Kölner PhilharmonieBischofsgartenstr. 1

Weitere Infos zum Film: Seven Chances

Silent Film Concert "GREED"
2022-04-09 20:00 - 22:30 | Rochuskirche, Rochusstraße 100, Köln, NRW, 50827, Deutschland
Sat, April 9, 20228:00 PMRochus Church
Info:

General:USA 1924 – Director: Erich von Stroheim – Duration: approx. 140 min.Screenplay: June Mathis and E. v. Stroheim, based on the novel McTeague by Frank NorrisCast: Zasu Pitts – Trina; Gibson Gowland – McTeague; Jean Hersholt – Marcus; and othersMusic: New arrangement for organ and live electronics by Wilfried KaetsBefore the concert: Introductory talk by film expert Joachim SteinigewegParticipants: Wilfried Kaets – Organ and Live Electronics; Joachim Steinigeweg – Talk and Silent Film Technology
About:Greed is a silent film classic from 1924 by Erich von Stroheim about the theme of human greed.It tells the story of a woman who, after winning the lottery, becomes obsessed with money, ruins her marriage, and loses her social environment.
Plot:McTeague, a simple man, works in a mine. He meets Trina, the fiancée of his friend Marcus, falls in love with her, and marries her.When Trina wins a large sum in the lottery, Marcus becomes overwhelmed with envy and believes he is entitled to a share of the money…
Music Arrangement:The music is designed in homage to the great silent film scores of the 1920s.It is intended to sound as it might have in 1924, with a typical cinema organist, and aims to present the audience with a unique sense of the era and emotional color.
Beginning of Holy Week:For decades, Rochus Church has been a place where experimental happenings have found a forum and received support.In the series “Concerts for the Beginning of Holy Week,” multimedia contemporary and experimental projects are regularly presented, seeking to approach the “drama of love and devotion” — also as a spiritual search beyond familiar paths.The silent film Greed explores the darker sides of human nature: rage, despair, and the futility of human action.It invites the audience to confront fundamental human questions and reflect on themes like guilt, the evil in people, and redemption.Rochus Church is the only known church in Germany equipped with a permanently installed professional cinema projector, including a soundproof booth in the gallery.Wilfried Kaets is one of the most experienced and longest-serving silent film musicians in Germany. He has composed and performed live music for more than 300 silent films, which he has presented worldwide.He was the first composer/performer since the silent film era to regularly present historical films with live music in churches, starting in the 1980s, thereby initiating the renaissance of this performance form in Germany.
Directions:Address:Rochus ChurchRochusstr. 10050827 Cologne
More Informations about: Greed

Silent Film Concert "Metropolis"
2021-03-24 20:00 - 22:30 | Rochuskirche, Rochusstraße 100, Köln, NRW, 50827, Deutschland
Sat, March 24, 20188:00 PMRochus Church, Cologne-Bickendorf

Info
Brief Overview
Germany 1927Director: Fritz LangScreenplay: Thea von Harbou, Fritz LangCinematography: Karl Freund, Walter RuttmannEditing: Fritz LangDuration: approx. 140 min.
Plot
Metropolis – the city of the future.Fritz Lang’s monumental science fiction film combines powerful visuals with a love story about the reconciliation of labor and capital:High above the city rules Joh Fredersen, while underground the workers toil. Fredersen’s son, Freder, falls in love with the workers’ leader, Maria.
Music Arrangement
New music arrangement by Wilfried Kaets for grand piano, double large percussion, live electronics, and playback tracks
Performers
Ralf Kurley and Norbert Krämer – Percussion, Live ElectronicsWilfried Kaets – Grand Piano, Live Electronics, Playback Tracks
Artistic Director
Wilfried Kaets
Information
Organizer: Rochus ChurchRochusstr. 10050287 Cologne
More Informations about:” Metropolis“

Silent Film Concert "Metropolis"
2021-03-06 20:00 - 22:30 | St. Antonius, Friesenstraße 81, Düsseldorf, NRW, 40545, Deutschland
Sat, March 6, 20218:00 PMChurch of St. Antonius

Info
General
Germany 1927Director: Fritz LangScreenplay: Thea von Harbou, Fritz LangCinematography: Karl Freund, Walter RuttmannEditing: Fritz LangDuration: approx. 140 min.
Action
Metropolis – the city of the future.Fritz Lang’s monumental science fiction film combines striking visuals with a love story centered around the reconciliation of labor and capital:High above the city, Joh Fredersen rules, while underground the workers toil. Fredersen’s son, Freder, falls in love with the workers’ leader, Maria.
Musical Score
Newly restored version by the Murnau Foundation (2010)New music arrangement by Wilfried Kaets for concert organ, live electronics, and large percussion
Performers
Norbert Krämer – MIDI vibraphone, live electronics, soundscapes, drums, timpani, gongs, various percussionWilfried Kaets – Organ, live electronics
Artistic Director
Wilfried Kaets
Getting There
Church of St. AntoniusFriesenstr. 8140545 Düsseldorf-Oberkassel
weitere Infos zum Film:” Metropolis“

Silent Film Concert "The Girl with the Hatbox"
2021-02-27 20:00 - 21:30 | Black Box, Schulstraße 4, Düsseldorf, NRW, 40213, Deutschland
Sat. 27.02.20218:00 PMFilm Museum Düsseldorf
Info
Short and Sweet :
Original Title: Девушка с коробкой / Dewuschka s korobkoiSoviet Union 1927Director: Boris Barnet
Duration: approx. 70 minutes
Action:
The young Natascha, who lives with her grandfather in a modest, almost impoverished hut near Moscow, is employed in Madame Irène’s hat shop during the time of the so-called New Economic Plan. This was when the Soviet leadership made small concessions to private initiatives and the private economy. Natascha’s boss and her husband have falsely informed the housing committee that Natascha has rented a room in their house. This little white lie allows Irène’s husband to finally have a room to himself, where he can laze around as he pleases. Fogeljew, who works for the state railway, has been in love with Natascha for a long time. However, she has set her sights on Ilja, the young, homeless student she met on a train journey…
About the Film:
“The Girl with the Hatbox” is one of the rare examples of a Soviet silent film comedy. The film, directed by Boris Barnet in the winter of 1926/1927, made lead actress Anna Stern, in the title role, the most famous female film star of late Soviet silent cinema. Even today, the film remains fresh and lively, cleverly incorporating elements of the “slapstick comedies” that were known at the time, especially from Hollywood, and were also popular in Russia.
Musical Score:
New music version by Wilfried Kaets for historical cinema organ and simultaneous piano.
Wilfried Kaets, with over 30 years of experience, is one of the most seasoned silent film accompanists in Germany. For “The Girl with the Hatbox”, he creates a kind of “cine-historical silent film music” using forms and sounds that, played on a Welte cinema organ and a simultaneously played piano, would have sounded as they might have in a cinema in 1927.
More Informations about: “The Girl with the Hatbox“

Stummfilmkonzert "Der letzte Mann"
2020-11-08 20:00 | St. Margareta Kirche, Wilhermstr. 1, Wadersloh, 59329
Infos zum Film – kurz und knapp
Kurzüberblick
Erschienen: Deutschland 1924
Dauer: ca. 90 Minuten
Regie: Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau
Drehbuch: Carl Mayer
Murnaus Film, der fast gänzlich ohne Zwischentitel auskommt, gilt als Meilenstein der Filmgeschichte und Höhepunkt des deutschen Stummfilmkinos.
Historische 16mm Kinofassung in filmhistorisch korrekter Geschwindigkeit und originalem Format auf Großleinwand.
Inhalt
“Der letzte Mann” ist die Geschichte einer persönlichen Tragödie: Ein alternder Hotelportier verliert mit der Uniform seine identität und sein Prestige und daraufhin von der Gesellschaft gnadenlos gedemütigt.
Fassung
Neue Musikfassung von Wilfried Kaets für Orgel, großes Schlagwerk und Midivibraphon
Ausführende
Wilfried Kaets – Orgel
Norbert Krämer – Schlagwerk und Midivibraphon
Joachim Steinigeweg – Filmprojektion

Weitere Infos zum Film “Der letzte Mann“

Silent Film Concert "The Indian Tomb"
2020-10-31 20:00 - 2020-11-01 00:00 | Black Box, Schulstraße 4, Düsseldorf, NRW, 40213, Deutschland
The Indian Tomb
Sat. 31.10.20208:00 PMCinema Black BoxAt the Düsseldorf Film Museum
Short and Sweet
Germany 1921Director: Joe MayDuration: approx. 216 minScreenplay: Thea von Harbou, Fritz Lang
Cast:Conrad Veidt, Mia May, Erna Morena, Bernhard Goetzke, Karl Platen, and many more
Part 1: “The Mission of the Yogi”Part 2: “The Tiger of Eschnapur”
Between the two films: Intermission with Indian snacks
Reservation strongly recommended due to COVID hygiene regulations!Phone: 0211-899-3715
Action
This spectacular and opulent epic film has everything a romantic or adventurer could desire: love, drama, jealousy, daring action in the Indian jungle (filmed near Berlin — and so spectacular at the time that even President Friedrich Ebert came to see), tiger enclosures (with people inside who definitely don’t belong there…), crocodiles attacking unfortunate servants, men ranging from suave to vengeful, and women from desperate to recklessly brave…
Musical Score
New musical score by Wilfried Kaets for simultaneous piano, cinema organ, Indian percussion (tam-tam, gongs, cymbals), and electronic soundscapes.The music serves as a homage to the contemporary musical styles of the silent film era.
It plays with elements of Indian music, not in authentic form, but as a reflection of the exoticized European view from the early 20th century. The score connects scenes and content along the film’s dramatic structure, but avoids simply mirroring the visuals, instead aiming to create a balance between old imagery and new music using modern compositional methods.
PerformersRaphaela Kaets – PercussionWilfried Kaets – Organ
Artistic DirectionWilfried Kaets
Getting ThereOrganizer: Cinema Black Boxat the Düsseldorf Film MuseumSchulstr. 440213 Düsseldorf
More Informations about:” The Indian Tomb“

Stummfilmkonzert "The Lodger"
2020-09-12 20:00 - 21:30 | Filmforum im Museum Ludwig, Bischofsgartenstraße 1, Köln, NRW, 50667, Deutschland
Info
Sat. 12.09.20208:00 PMFilm Forum at Museum Ludwig, Cologne
Short and Sweet
GB 1926Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Cast: Marie Ault, Arthur Chesney, Ivor Novello, and more
Cinematography: Karl Freund, Walter Ruttmann
Duration: approx. 85 min
The Lodger – A Story of the London FogGerman Title: Der Mieter
Action:
The film is based on the novel about the London serial killer “Jack the Ripper” by Marie Belloc Lowndes.
A psychopathic murderer is terrorizing London: every Tuesday, he chooses a blonde-haired victim, and each time, the police find a small note on the body, signed by the murderer as “The Avenger.” The London police discover the seventh blonde woman to have fallen victim to the “Avenger.” At the same time, a mysterious man moves in as a lodger with a family. He shows a particular interest in Daisy, the young blonde daughter of his landlords. Another murder occurs nearby; the hunt for the murderer begins…
Musical Score:
Musical score for piano and sound recordings by Wilfried Kaets.
The music is structurally based on the silent film music dramaturgy of the time, using themes from 1920s film music libraries, but is mostly a new composition. This creates a thrilling balance between “old images” and “new sounds,” which do not simply run counterpoint to or alongside the film but are woven together in a dramaturgically coherent manner.
Getting There:
Film Forum at Museum Ludwig, CologneBischofsgartenstr. 150667 Cologne

More Informations about: “The Lodger“

Silent Film Concert "Buster Keatons College"
2020-03-21 20:00 - 21:30 | Filmforum im Museum Ludwig, Bischofsgartenstraße 1, Köln, NRW, 50667, Deutschland
College

Sun. 21.03.20208:00 PMCultural Center “Film Forum at Museum Ludwig, Cologne”
Info

Short and Sweet
USA 1927Director: James W. HorneCast: Buster Keaton, Anne Cornwall, Flora Bramley, and moreScreenplay: Bryan FoyCinematography: Bert HainesDuration: approx. 63 min
Buster Keaton’s CollegeGerman Titles: Der Musterschüler // Sport ist Mord
Action:
Buster Keaton stars as an eager—but hopelessly unathletic—model student who suddenly has to prove unexpected athletic skills at a sports-obsessed university, all to rescue his beloved from the clutches of a villain.
The most action-packed and hilarious sports comedy of the silent film era!
Musical Score:
New musical score by Wilfried Kaets for solo piano
PerformerWilfried Kaets – Piano
Getting There:Cultural Center “Film Forum at Museum Ludwig, Cologne”Bischofsgartenstr. 150667 Cologne
More Informations about: “Buster Keaton´s College“

Silent Film Concert "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari"
2020-02-29 20:00 - 22:00 | Black Box, Schulstraße 4, Düsseldorf, NRW, 40213, Deutschland
Sat. 29.02.2020 8:00 PM Filmmuseum Düsseldorf
Info
Germany 1919Register: Robert WieneScript: Carl MayerBuildings: Walter Röhrig, Walter Reimann, Hermann Warm
Actors:Werner Krauß – CaligariConradt Veidt – CesareLil Dagover – Janeand many more… ca. 65min
Action:
One of the absolute film classics of German production. Caligari established the international fame of German cinematic Expressionism.
Brief Synopsis: The inner story of this expressionist silent film classic tells the tale of the mad Dr. Caligari, who, with the help of a somnambulist (sleepwalker) named Cesare, spreads fear and terror in a city. During the day, Caligari exhibits Cesare, who suffers from a strange, trance-like illness, at a carnival. However, at night, under Caligari’s hypnotic influence, Cesare commits crimes…
The most famous film from 1919, and one of the absolute film classics of German production in general. Caligari established the international fame of German cinematic Expressionism.
Musical Score
Historical 16mm cinema version on a large screen at the correct reduced silent film speed.
Music version for cinema organ and simultaneous piano, plus large percussion and live electronics.”
Let me know if you need any more translations or adjustments!
Performers
Wilfried Kaets – Cinema organ, simultaneous piano, and sound effects Norbert Krämer – Percussion, live electronics”

More Information about: “The Cabinet of Dr.Caligari“

Silent Film Concert "The Cameraman"
2019-11-13 20:00 - 22:00 | Ev.-luth. Kirche Vechta, Franziskanerplatz, Vechta, 49377
Wed. 13.11.20198:00 PMEvangelical Lutheran Monastery Church Vechta
Info
General
Released: USA 1928
Duration: ca. 72 min
Register: Edward Sedgwick
Actors: Buster Keaton, Marceline Day u.a.
About
The clumsy street photographer Buster (Buster Keaton) is plagued by bad luck. When he meets the beautiful Sally (Marceline Day), he instantly falls hopelessly head over heels in love. Sally works as a secretary for the MGM newsreel. To win her heart and be near her, Buster takes a job as a cameraman for the MGM newsreel—but only manages to deliver disastrous footage. Sally then gives him a tip to film the New Year’s celebration in Chinatown:
And indeed, a wild shootout breaks out between mafia gangs of the Chinese Triads… Comedy legend “Stoneface” Buster Keaton once again delights in one of his final silent films, with brilliant sequences, an action-packed, chaotic storyline, and of course, a touching love story!
Musical Score
New musical score for cinema organ and simultaneous piano by Wilfried Kaets.
More Informations about :”The Cameraman“

Silent Film Concert "The Monster of Fate"
2019-11-13 20:00 - 21:30 | Ev.-luth. Kirche Vechta, Franziskanerplatz, Vechta, 49377
Info
Wed. 13.11.20198:00 PMEvangelical Lutheran Monastery Church, Vechta
Short and Sweet
Germany 1920Director: Paul Wegener, Carl BosseScreenplay: Paul Wegener, Henrik GaleenProduction: Projektions-AG Union (Paul Davidson)Cinematography: Karl Freund
Action:
The film is based on the legend surrounding the Prague Rabbi Judah Löw and tells the Jewish tale of the Golem:
In the 16th century, in the Prague ghetto, Rabbi Löw reads in the stars that disaster is looming for the Jewish community. He creates a powerful clay figure, the Golem, based on an ancient legend, and breathes life into it with magical powers. The Golem saves the emperor’s life, and the emperor revokes his decree to expel the Jews from the city. The Golem has essentially fulfilled its purpose, but when Löw’s assistant uses it to combat a rival, the Golem goes on a rampage, setting the city on fire. Outside the city walls, it eventually encounters a small girl…
Musical Score:
New musical score for organ, large percussion, and live electronics by Wilfried Kaets
More Informations about: “The Monster of Fate“

Stummfilmkonzert "Nosferatu"
2019-10-30 20:00 - 21:30 | Bios Inn, Rochusstr. 141a, Köln, Nordrhein-Westfalen, 50827, Deutschland
Wed. 30.10.20198:00 PMConcert Hall BiOs Inn – Rochusstr. 141a – 50827 Cologne
Info
Short and Sweet
Germany 1921Director: F.W. MurnauDuration: approx. 84 minRecommended for ages 12 and up
Historical Cinema Version
The performance features a valuable historical 16mm film print from the collection of the German Federal Archive
Silent film classic based on the Gothic novel Dracula by Bram Stoker.
Action:
Count Orlok contacts the real estate agent Knock to purchase a house in Wisborg. Knock sends his secretary, Hutter, to Transylvania to finalize the deal with the Count. Hutter’s wife, Ellen, has a premonition of doom before his departure.
After a long journey, Hutter arrives at the strange Count’s castle. Upon waking the next morning, Hutter discovers strange bite marks on his neck but has no idea of the terror he is facing. While signing the contract, the Count spots a portrait of Ellen and notices her beautiful neck.
The next day, Hutter explores the castle and finds Orlok sleeping in a coffin. After witnessing the eerie departure of the Count in the evening, Hutter hastily leaves the castle, fearing for his wife.
A race against time begins…
Musical Score:
New musical score for piano, simultaneous harpsichord, gongs, percussion, and live electronics by Wilfried Kaets
Performers:Norbert Krämer – Percussion, Gongs, Live ElectronicsWilfried Kaets – Piano and Harpsichord
Silent Film Technique: Joachim Steinigeweg

More Informations about: “Nosferatu“

Silent Film Concert "The Cameraman"
2019-05-26 18:00 - 20:00 | Konzerthaus Solingen, Konrad-Adenauer-Straße 71, Solingen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, 42651
Info

Sat. 26.05.20196:00 PMConcert Hall Solingen
Short and Sweet
Released: USA 1928Duration: approx. 72 minutesDirector: Edward SedgwickCast: Buster Keaton, Marceline Day, and more
Action:
The clumsy street photographer Buster (Buster Keaton) is plagued by bad luck. When he meets the beautiful Sally (Marceline Day), he immediately falls hopelessly in love. Sally works as a secretary for the MGM newsreel. In order to win her heart and be near her, Luke gets a job as a cameraman for the MGM newsreel but delivers nothing but disastrous results. Sally then suggests he film the New Year’s celebration in Chinatown:
And indeed, a wild shootout between mafia gangs of the Chinese Triads ensues… Comedy legend “Stoneface” Buster Keaton once again delights in one of his last silent films with brilliant sequences, an action-packed, turbulent storyline, and, of course, a touching love story!
Musical Score:
New musical score for solo piano by Wilfried Kaets

More Informations about:”The Cameraman“

Silent Film Concert "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari"
2019-01-08 20:00 - 21:30 | Bottrop Kirche “Heilig Kreuz”, Scharnhölzstr. 37, Bottrop, Nordrhein-Westfalen, 46236, Deutschland
Info:
Tu. 08.01.20188pmBlack Box
Short and Sweet
Germany 1919Register: Robert WieneScript: Carl MayerBuildings: Walter Röhrig, Walter Reimann, Hermann Warm
Actors:Werner Krauß – CaligariConradt Veidt – CesareLil Dagover – Janeand many more… ca. 65min
Action:
One of the absolute film classics of German production. Caligari established the international fame of German cinematic Expressionism.
Brief Synopsis: The inner story of this expressionist silent film classic tells the tale of the mad Dr. Caligari, who, with the help of a somnambulist (sleepwalker) named Cesare, spreads fear and terror in a city. During the day, Caligari exhibits Cesare, who suffers from a strange, trance-like illness, at a carnival. However, at night, under Caligari’s hypnotic influence, Cesare commits crimes…
The most famous film from 1919, and one of the absolute film classics of German production in general. Caligari established the international fame of German cinematic Expressionism.
Musical Score
Historical 16mm cinema version on a large screen at the correct reduced silent film speed.
Music version for cinema organ and simultaneous piano, plus large percussion and live electronics.”
Let me know if you need any more translations or adjustments!
Performers
Wilfried Kaets – Cinema organ, simultaneous piano, and sound effects Norbert Krämer – Percussion, live electronics”

More Information about: “The Cabinet of Dr.Caligari”

Silent Film Concert "Metropolis"
2018-11-07 20:00 - 22:30 | Ev.-luth. Kirche Vechta, Franziskanerplatz, Vechta, 49377
Wed. 07.11.20188 pmEvangelical Lutheran Monastery Church

Info
Brief Overview
Germany 1927Director: Fritz LangScreenplay: Thea von Harbou, Fritz LangCinematography: Karl Freund, Walter RuttmannEditing: Fritz LangDuration: approx. 140 min.
Plot
Metropolis – the city of the future.Fritz Lang’s monumental science fiction film combines powerful visuals with a love story about the reconciliation of labor and capital:High above the city rules Joh Fredersen, while underground the workers toil. Fredersen’s son, Freder, falls in love with the workers’ leader, Maria.
Music Arrangement
New music arrangement by Wilfried Kaets for grand piano, double large percussion, live electronics, and playback tracks
Performers
Ralf Kurley and Norbert Krämer – Percussion, Live ElectronicsWilfried Kaets – Grand Piano, Live Electronics, Playback Tracks
Artistic Director
Wilfried Kaets
More Informations about:” Metropolis“
