TAXA gives the silent horror classic Nosferatu a new soundtrack at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, October 17
F.W. Murnau’s 1920 German Expressionist film—an unauthorized adaptation of Dracula—was nearly lost thanks to a lawsuit launched by Bram Stoker’s widow
Left to right: Max Schreck as Count Orlok in Nosferatu; Albin Grau’s original poster for the 1922 film
TAXA performs a live, original score to F.W. Murnau’s Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts on October 17 at 7:30 pm
F.W. MURNAU’S 1922 film Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror is a masterpiece of German Expressionism and one of the first truly scary entries in the horror genre—and it’s only through sheer luck that we’re still able to watch it to this day.
The film had its genesis when the owners of the German studio Prana Film hired screenwriter Henrik Galeen to adapt Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula. One detail they overlooked was actually securing the rights to the story, which would prove to be a fatal error in judgment.
Stoker’s widow, Florence, took Prana Film to court, which resulted in the studio declaring bankruptcy and a judge ordering all prints and negatives of Nosferatu be destroyed. Unfortunately for the Stoker estate, prints had already been distributed internationally, ensuring that future generations would be able to enjoy Max Schreck’s uncanny performance as Count Orlok (and his unforgettably creepy appearance, conceived by producer and production designer Albin Grau).
What hasn’t survived, however, is most of the original Nosferatu score by Hans Erdmann; all that remains of that is a partial suite. This, of course, gives current composers and bands free rein to imagine their own sonic accompaniment to the 104-year-old visuals.
Locally, there is a dedicated crew of musicians who have made a regular side business of creating scores for classic silent films and performing them live at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts. Under the name Griefwalker, they have presented their takes on The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari and Faust. A two-piece offshoot, Beautiful Violence, has done the same with Metropolis and The Passion of Joan of Arc.
Just in time for spooky season, the four-piece band TAXA—comprising Griefwalker members Hieg Khatcherian, Andrew Morrison, Daniel Fedak, and Dan McVeigh—will give Nosferatu a fresh soundtrack.
It should be fascinating to hear how TAXA applies its sound, which leans in the direction of post-punk, post-rock, and pretty much post-everything, to an artifact of a time before most of the instruments they play even existed.. 
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