ATHENS, WV (LOOTPRESS) – It has been announced that Concord University Associate Professor of Music, Dr. Jacob Womack will be performing piano accompaniment for a silent film presentation scheduled for this month.
The silent film, The General will be shown at 7:00pm on Thursday, September 26, 2024, at the Anderson Family Theatre found within the Alexander Fine Arts Center on Concord University’s campus. Members of the public have been invited to partake in the event, with attendance for viewing having been offered at no cost.
The film itself is renowned as one of the most iconic comedic productions of the silent film era and has been cited by some as one of the greatest films of all time. Buster Keaton stars as Johnny Gray in the 1926 feature, which also stars Marion Mack as Annabelle Lee. The film was inspired by a true story and features a series of locomotive chases from which hilarity frequently ensues.
Piano accompaniment for films was commonplace during the silent era of film, and Dr. Jacob Womack has transcribed the film’s original piano score for use in the upcoming performance. The piano contributions will serve to highlight the comedic aspects of the film along with special effects.
Dr. Womack is a native of the Beckley area and specializes in 1920s and 1930s jazz piano. He has won multiple piano competitions and earned various prizes in relation to piano performance.
