The Berlin-based electronic duo Tronthaim will perform live to Walter Ruttmann’s Berlin – Die Sinfonie der Großstadt: an extraordinary cinematic journey through the life of a metropolis, from the early waking hours through the hectic work day to the ecstasy of the city’s nocturnal pleasures.
Since its completion in 1927 Ruttmann’s experimental documentary film stands as one of the most impressive and revolutionary symphonies of a metropolis ever made. Based on musical principles, Ruttmann’s construct attains an intense dynamic that allows viewers to literally feel the city’s pulsating life. The clip-like editing technique and the historical fascination of the film moved Tronthaim to compose an entirely new piece that transports the frenzy of images from the year 1927 into the reborn Berlin of the 21st century. Tronthaim is a project of the theatre musician Daniel Dorsch (who has produced music for such theatres as the Volksbühne, Gorki Theater, Hebbel am Ufer and Staatstheater Stuttgart) and the image and sound designer Sascha Moser (who has worked for Emigrate, Rammstein, Seeed, Bela B., Peter Fox, Steve Binetti, etc.).
“Electronic sounds collide into images from the twenties and this strange synergy lends Ruttmann’s film the modernity of a long clip from a metropolis. … It isn’t often that one hears such a convincing sound to a silent film.”
(Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung)