“Nosferatu” (1922) with live improvised organ accompaniment  by Otto Kraemer; Methodist Central Hall, Westminster.

This special event was a part of the series of Monday Gala Organ Concerts with visiting organists performing on the Hall’s recently restored and reconstructed Hill /Harrison organ. Otto Kraemer, guest tutor on the London organ improvisation course, breathed life and emotion into the film through his wonderful interpretation. The sheer scale of the organ was demonstrated to remarkable effect – at times through well-chosen solo stops and combinations across the whole pitch range. At other times there were spine-tingling sequences with full-bodied chorus work. We also heard Tremulants and celestes as well as imaginative use of mutations. The versatility of this truly orchestral organ was shown to the full.

Otto Kraemer showed himself to be a master of improvisation. Sometimes the music was to the fore, at other times in the background, but always enhancing and enlivening the action on the screen. There were clever quotations from popular music – Rod Stewart’s Sailing, Sur le pont d’Avignon and even The Magnificent Seven! Each was expertly and seamlessly woven into the soundtrack. As the film ended the organ built to a thrilling climax to what had been an immensely enjoyable evening. What a pity that there were only about 30 of us in the audience – in a hall advertised as seating up to 2160.  SP