The Thief of Bagdad (Reconstructed Silent Film Score) [Live]

Featuring

Mark Fitz-Gerald
hr-Sinfonieorchester
Mortimer Wilson

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Composer's Artistic Vision

Douglas Fairbanks instructed Mortimer Wilson, the composer, to make his score as artistic as possible, without feeling pressured to change moods rapidly at the expense of musical development.

Composer Biography

Mortimer Wilson, the composer, had already shown an interest in motion pictures, having published 'Silhouettes from the Screen, Op. 55' in 1919, with movements dedicated to silent film stars.

Composition History

Douglas Fairbanks' commission for Mortimer Wilson to create the orchestral score for The Thief of Bagdad was revolutionary, making the composer a creative collaborator from the start.

Composition History

Mortimer Wilson was present throughout the rehearsals and shooting of 'The Thief of Bagdad', constantly taking notes and ideas for the characters and moods.

Compositional Technique

Mortimer Wilson's score for 'The Thief of Bagdad' uses a moderate-sized orchestra, possibly to make it accessible to smaller cinemas.

Critical Reception

Despite initial opposition and an attempt to replace Mortimer Wilson's score with a compilation, critics later made Wilson's score famous across the United States.