Summoning Astaroth

In this scene from classic 1920 German silent horror film "Der Golem," Rabbi Loew summons the Sumerian demon Astaroth to learn the word that will bring the Golem to life -- rendered in the most arcane transliteration from Hebrew that I have ever seen, the word is "Aemath" meaning 'emet' (Hebrew)' or 'truth.' I had imagined Rabbi Loew reciting the Shema to hold the ancient demon at bay.

Although I composed this segment of of score for the scene in Paul Wegener's 1920 prequel to his silent Golem series in the summer of 2002, I only recorded it during the last weekend of October in 2007. I played all the brass and woodwinds myself, including the oboe solo near the beginning as well as the gong and bass drum, all in my small Hollywood apartment.

The first results of that recording appear on The Jewish Journal's YouTube channel but I thought it was important to have it on my channel as well, as a part of my online score reel. The version which appears here has new titles at the beginning and end, plus the sound of my 16mm projector, which I feel helps the experience of watching a silent film.

All music composed by Carvin Knowles. © Ozone Layer Music (BMI). All rights reserved.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• expressionism
• horror
• golem
• prague
• praha
• monster
• rabbi loew
• Paul Wegener
• score
• orchestral

[FarfilicusStarship]

Brilliant job!