Silent Films
An ardent fan of old movies, Dorothy ‘learned at the feet’ of preeminent silent film composer/organist Lee Erwin how to improvise silent films in the traditional theatre organ style. From the great comedies of Charlie Chaplin & Buster Keaton to legendary horror films, Dorothy’s imaginative harmonic language and special effects bring these films to vibrant life. “Watching Papadakos improvise is as dramatic as the film itself...you became engrossed in the film then suddenly realize she’s been playing for over an hour!” Dorothy is in great demand, renowned for her thrilling improvised film scores, in particular Lon Chaney’s 1929 Phantom of the Opera and the many Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton & Harold Lloyd comedy shorts. She has opened film festivals & jazz festivals and plays silent films in concert halls, cathedrals, schools, civic auditoriums, universities & theatres all over the world. "Silent films & music are an international language for all ages and I love the live Organist/Audience/Actor synergy at every screening. It's always different and unpredictable!" says Dorothy. For bookings please contact info@dorothypapadakos.com or md@pva.co.uk.
For Dorothy's most recent live silent film performances,
please visit her News & Events Page.
Dorothy Papadakos, Concert Organist
Reviews
“Opening Night [of the 2006 Rehoboth Film Festival] set the scene as
internationally acclaimed organist Dorothy Papadakos received an extended standing
ovation after enthralling the crowd with her improvised accompaniment of the
1929 version of Lon Chaney’s silent film classic Phantom of the Opera.”
The Cape Gazette, Delaware, USA
“Ms. Papadakos’ program exhibited her trademark flair for presentation
and drama. She put the large Möller organ through its paces in an
improvised accompaniment to the 1929 The Phantom of the Opera silent
film. What a treat to hear artist and organ collaborate to bring the
classic images to life, through a marathon of creativity and dramatic artistry!”
Classical Voice of North Carolina, USA
“The 2004 Ampthill Music Festival was opened by Dorothy Papadakos who
brilliantly improvised the showing of the silent movie Phantom of the Opera for
over seventy minutes. The whole event saw me with a heightened sense
of awareness.”
Ampthill Music Festival, England
“When Dorothy Papadakos climbs into the organ loft at the Cathedral
Church of St. John the Divine, she rolls up her sleeves and rocks. Formerly
organist at the cavernous cathedral on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, she
is known for adding jazz, African rhythms and real heart to centuries-old hymns. “She
is so creative and improvisational and daring with the organ, it’s bordering
on the illegal,” says Philippe Petit, the high-wire artist.”
The New York Times
“Little Orchestra Society had a charming idea for its [Lincoln Center]
concert on Thursday night: concertos for exotic instruments seldom given the
solo spotlight with Dino Anagnost’s orchestra. Ian Finkel, Susan
Jolles, Guy Klucevesek, Robert Bonfiglio, Dorothy Papadakos and Harvey Phillips
were fine soloists on the xylophone, organ, accordion, harmonica and tuba.”
The New York Times
“Renowned for her organ improvisation based on jazz and theatre roots,
composer, lyricist and organist Dorothy Papadakos joins the four-time Grammy
Award-winning saxophonist Paul Winter in a musical realm which embraces the
traditions of many cultures and interweaves instruments of many kinds in what
they refer to as the greatest symphony on earth. This award winning body
of work transcends categories, reflecting the artists’ wide-ranging experiences
in the musical traditions and natural environments of the earth.”
Esplanade Theatres on the Bay, Singapore
“Shades of Green CD: Dorothy Papadakos brings a daring
new multi-cultural programming. This is her most daring album so far. It
contains brilliant, colorful organ improvisations … Papadakos always
seems able to blend disparate elements into a viable whole. The people
of New York are fortunate to have a versatile musician of such diverse vision
performing in their midst.”
ClassicsToday.com
“Comfortable chairs were on hand for the [London] contemplation of Donald
Moffett’s paintings The Incremental Commandments, intermittently
accompanied by a sound track: organist Dorothy Papadakos improvising
on Chic’s disco anthem Le Freak. She blasts away in fine
style, brewing an aural mix of grandeur and banality that’s irresistible.”
Art Forum Magazine
Photo Credit: Mirja Hussain, Etelä-Suomen Sanomat Newspaper, Lahti, Finland
