Upcoming Events

Something Old, Something New 
at LACO Annual Silent Film Gala

by Anne French

Two Charlie Chaplin comedy classics from 1918, A Dog’s Life and Shoulder Arms, will be showcased at the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra's 22nd annual Silent Film Gala this Sunday, May 22nd at 6:30 p.m. in Royce Hall. A special third treat is also in store with the presentation of Walt Disney's short, Trolley Troubles (1927), which features original photoplay music composed by Alexander Rannie specifically for the short. Sunday's Gala marks the world premiere performance of this score, which calls for violin (Margaret Batjer), clarinet (Joshua Ranz), percussion (Wade Culbreath), with the composer himself leading from piano.

Alexander Rannie

No stranger to LACO, Rannie first worked with the ensemble in 2004 when Timothy Brock conducted his reconstruction of Carl Stalling's score for the first Mickey Mouse cartoon, Plane Crazy, screened before Keaton's Steamboat Bill, Jr. Rannie has also consulted on hosts of projects for The Walt Disney Company, including the restoration of Fantasia's original Stokowski-Philadelphia Orchestra Fantasound soundtrack. Last May he produced the opening clip-reel, wrote program notes and curated an exhibit of rare musical artifacts for What's Opera, Doc?-Animation and Classical Music for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in conjunction with Ring Festival LA.

As a pianist, organist and harpist, Rannie has performed throughout California, has appeared on numerous albums and film soundtracks, and has appeared live alongside such inimitable talents as Angela Lansbury, Carol Channing, Shirley Jones, Lorna Luft, Clay Aiken and Glee pianist, Brad Ellis.

Rannie's original score for Tol'able David (1921) will receive its world premiere this June as part of the Motion Picture Academy's "Summer of Silents." His many other compositions include several chamber and vocal works.

For ticket info, visit http://www.laco.org

Photo by JayPG Photography used by permission.