The Anvil Orchestra returns, accompanying Hitchcock’s silent version of one of the greatest British films. It concerns a young woman who kills a man in self-defense, then is blackmailed by a witness. Made during the transition to the sound era, it was commissioned as both a silent and as a part talkie. Blackmail displays many of the stylistic elements and themes with which Hitchcock would come to be associated. The film is accompanied live by the Anvil Orchestra – Roger Miller and Terry Donahue, who for 30+ years, have been playing percussion-driven original scores to silent classics utilizing unusual sound sources as well as accordion, musical saw, electronics, and orchestral keyboards. (dir. Alfred Hitchcock, U.K., 1929, 76 min.)
“Blackmail reminds one of just how quickly the filmmaker was showing signs of mastery at the start of his career.” — Slant
Roger Clark Miller studied composition at California Institute of the Arts and piano at the University of Michigan. In 1979, he moved to Boston and co-formed Mission of Burma. Since 1980 he has released over 50 albums, ranging from the aggressive avant-punk of Burma to piano-based music of Maximum Electric Piano, The Binary System and Birdsongs of the Mesozoic. His chamber music has been performed at the New England Conservatory, Tufts University, and other venues. Miller is also a conceptual/sound artist. His first art installation in this direction, “Transmuting the Prosaic”, was at the Brattleboro Museum and Art Center in Brattleboro, VT from March 15 – October 12, 2020. He is also a visual artist utilizing Max Ernst’s Frottage technique, and has been in numerous shows. In addition to The Anvil Orchestra, Miller is currently active in Dream Interpretations for Solo Electric Guitar, The Fourth World Quartet, M2, The Trinary System, and his chamber music.
Terry Donahue grew up in Connecticut and has long been fascinated by “found sound”. This curiosity has led him to be an integral part of Boston’s percussion scene as a founding member of the Concussion Ensemble, Alloy Orchestra, Zero Zero, and Arcade Ambo. He plucks his 4-string in country music in a country setting in his country home in Bennington, VT. “Terry Donahue’s list of accomplishments could fill a whole book, but let’s just say his musical partners have ranged from Roger Miller to Ottmar Liebert (The New Age Flamenco King).” said Jon Bonni (The Pit Report, 1993).
The Live From Upstate series is generously underwritten by Sven & Barbara Huseby.
This project is made possible with funds from the New York State Legislature and administered by Arts Mid-Hudson.