Silent Films

The Battle of the Somme

At the end of June 1916, two newsreel cameramen were allowed to record the opening stages of the Battle of the Somme. The resulting 80-minute film mesmerised audiences, being seen by half the population. Recently inscribed in the UNESCO 'Memory of the World Register', the Imperial War Museum has prepared a re-mastered version for the 90th anniversary. The film was screened to a full house at the Queen Elizabeth Hall with the premiere of Laura's orchestral score, performed by the Philharmonia Orchestra. The film, with Laura's music, is to be re-released as a double DVD set (with the Battle of the Ancre) in 2007.

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'Silent Shakespeare' - seven short films, 88 mins - BFIV046

This unique collection of early film adaptations of Shakespeare works from around the world are beautifully hand stenciled and includes the first Shakespeare film ever made. Laura scored the music for all seven films. There is an American edition under the same title available from www.milestonefilms.com and the DVD has a new audio commentary by Dr. Judith Buchanan.

'The Tempest' (GB 1908). Directed by Percy Stow.
'Twelfth Night' (USA 1910). Directed by Charles Kent.
'The Merchant of Venice' (Italy 1910). Directed by Gerolamo Lo Savio.
'A Midsummer Night's Dream' (USA 1909). Directed by J. Stuart Blackton / Charles Kent.
'King Lear' (Italy 1910). Directed by Gerolamo Lo Savio.
'King John' (GB 1899). Directed by W-K L Dickson.
'Richard III' (GB 1911). Production Company - Co-operative Film Company.

'History of the Avant-garde - Britain in the Twenties'. (BFIVO68)

Volume one of the series focuses on the burgeoning British avant-garde scene of the 1920s

Two of Laura's scores are featured on this collection -

'C.O.D. - A Mellow Drama' - 1929 / 11 mins / b&w. Directed by Desmond Dickenson, Lloyd T Richards, Gerald Gibbs and Harcourt Templeman.

'Tusalava' - 1929 / 9 mins / b&w. Directed by Len Lye, produced by Robert Graves.

If you would like to order 'History of the Avant-garde', 'Mad Love' or 'Silent Shakespeare', you can do so from the British Film Institute website - www.bfi.org.uk or from the American distributor - www.milestonefilms.com

'The Battle of the Ancre'
Battle of the Ancre and the Advance of the Tanks (1917). A seventy minute silent war film by JB McDowell and Geoffrey Malins screened with live music at the Imperial War Museum, London. Conducted by John Gibbons and performed by members of Ealing Symphony Orchestra.

This official silent film of the winter campaign on the Somme was made for showing in British cinemas during the First World War. These films revolutionized the British public's concept of the war and record working scenes in and about the trenches and include the first shots of tanks at the front. Composer Laura Rossi's new score for chamber orchestra is in 5 movements, which accompanies the five parts of the film. The music depicts the varied emotions conveyed throughout, reflecting the more poignant moments as well as echoing brighter scenes of the high-spirited soldiers.

**This is to be re-released as a double DVD set along with Laura's score for the important 1916 historical film 'The Battle of the Somme' in 2007.

Films

LONDON TO BRIGHTON, the critically acclaimed urban thriller from new British writer-director Paul Andrew Williams. LONDON TO BRIGHTON won the Skillset new directors award at Edinburgh International Film Festival, Best UK Feature at Raindance, The Grand Jury Award at Dinard Film Festival. The film also played in competition recently at the Toronto International Film Festival.

guardian review

scotsman review

'Shooting Shona'

Feature film directed by Abner and Kamma Pastoll. Starring Tim Downie and Sam Burke. Screened at NFT, Bradford, Cinequest and Portabello Film Festivals.

'...Only Connect'

Directed by Amanda Rudman, performed live with film by the London Musici Orchestra, conducted by Mark Stephenson, at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in the 'Image/Music/Text' Concert alongside Michael Nyman and George Benjamin.

Compositions

'Under the Rainbow'
A seven movement orchestral/choral multicultural piece commissioned by the National Federation Music Society, involving the use of soloists who lead the orchestra in a colorful exploration of varying musical styles and cultures on the Chinese Er-hu, Indian Sitar, African drums, Japanese Koto, saxophone, flute and children's choir. Performed by the Ealing Symphony Orchestra conducted by John Gibbons.

'Dream with the Fishes'
A commission from Ealing Symphony Orchestra. Performed at St. Barnabas' Church conducted by John Gibbons

'Jailhouse Graffiti' -
Orchestral work premiered at St. John Smith's Sq.

'Frog', 'Reflections' and 'Cat and Mouse'
Solo piano pieces for the London College of Music's Jazz Piano Syllabus grades 6 to 8

'Midnight Mover' and 'Tatotat'
Solo snare drum pieces for the London College of Music's Percussion Syllabus grades 7

'The River'
String Quartet piece performed live at the Queen Elizabeth Hall by the Solaris Quartet.

Dance

Plays