ABOUT THIS WEBINAR
Acclaimed silent film composer and pianist Donald Sosin reflects on the journey that shaped his life and artistry — from his American upbringing and time in Europe to a serendipitous encounter with silent film that grew into a lifelong vocation, and to his decades-long association with the Museum of Modern Art. He discusses learning the Transcendental Meditation technique in 1972 and its enduring impact on his creative process, enabling him to “clear away the mental noise” while sustaining a vibrant musical career spanning more than five decades. He also explores the craft of improvising and composing for classics such as Nosferatu, what silent cinema reveals about storytelling without words, and how collaboration with his wife, Joanna Seaton — along with resilience through life’s challenges — has deepened both his artistry and his family life.
DONALD SOSIN
Donald Sosin has captivated audiences in the United States and Europe for over fifty years as one of the leading composers and performers of live music for silent film. A graduate of the University of Michigan and Columbia University, he studied composition with William Albright and Jack Beeson and has served as a film accompanist at the Museum of Modern Art and Film at Lincoln Center since 1973.
Mr. Sosin performs annually at two of Europe’s major film festivals, Le Giornate del Cinema Muto and Il Cinema Ritrovato, and many other venues across the US, Europe, and Asia. Sosin has been commissioned to create new scores for landmark films, including Manhatta, the first American avant-garde film, Richard III, the earliest surviving American feature film, and Sherlock Holmes (1916), the first full-length film about the famed detective.
For DVD and Blu-Ray, Sosin has created scores for dozens of classic films, including Nosferatu, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, DeMille’s The King of Kings, and films by Yasujirō Ozu. His work extends to Broadway, PBS documentaries, chamber and choral works, and more than 1,500 published music arrangements.
Donald Sosin frequently collaborates with his wife, actress and singer Joanna Seaton, performing and leading workshops nationwide. Together, they have toured extensively and remain dedicated to bringing classic cinema and live music vividly to contemporary audiences.
Connect by phone: Dial (929) 205-6099 or (253) 215-8782, then enter Meeting ID 177 174 913#