PHILIPPE SCHOELLER Music New composition commissioned by ARTE/ZDF for the digitally restored version of the Stiftung Deutsche Kinemathek 2018
Daniel Grossmann, conductor
In the middle of the 19th century, the rabbi's son Baruch decides, against his father's wishes, to leave his Galician shtetl to become an actor. At first he joins a traveling theater, where the Austrian Archduchess Elisabeth Theresia takes a liking to him and uses her influence to get him a job at the Vienna Burgtheater. Baruch manages to become a celebrated and successful star. But his father, Rabbi Mayer, is horrified by this life and disowns his son. When he later attends a performance of Don Carlos with his son after his mother skilfully mediates, he is deeply impressed by his acting talent. He recognizes this as a grace from God and forgives him after a discussion. Baruch returns home where his childhood sweetheart Esther has been waiting for him.
In collaboration with Arte, the Jewish Chamber Orchestra Munich premiered the reconstructed version of this silent film classic at the 2018 Berlinale with a newly composed film score by Philippe Schoeller. Since then, the orchestra has performed in Budapest, Warsaw, Vilnius, Vienna, Frankfurt, Aschaffenburg and, of course, Munich.
