"Impressions of an Exhibition"

My path begins as a composer – for concert and for film – as well as dance, theater, and whatever other venues I could find (e.g. firework shows). All proceeded well enough in the beginning. Over time though, with the demands to make a more secure living, I evolved into a producer – not only of music but of commercial video projects. Since it was at the beginning of the digital revolution, I took on all tasks – from writing, directing, to editing. I spent over 20 years at it as my day job.

A few years ago a violinist was preparing a concert for live solo violin and video. She was to play my “Baroque Fantasy”. The videographer set to do the video bailed. My violinist friend turned to me and asked; “Why don’t you to it?” I agreed and suddenly I discovered something. All those years editing and producing commercial videos, working side by side some of the top visual artists in the industry, paid off. I not only knew how to produce and edit, I had a hard-wired skill set of how to wed visuals and music. First, it was only to my own music, then other living composers, and now to the classical composers of the past – in this case, Modest Mussorgsky. So “Impressions at an Exhibition” is one of my first filmmaking efforts – though I get to bring a lifetime of profession skills to the game.

As I review my music video works, I see one other major influence – all the years I worked in the dance community – often collaborating with wonderful choreographers – working directly wedding movement to music. My video work is perhaps best seen through the prism of modern dance – where form and shape move on a stage are structurally sculpted by music.