Instrumentation

3.3(III=ca).3(III=Ebcl+bcl).3(III=cbsn) - 4331 - timp- perc(5): finger.cym/tamb/2 glsp/tgl/cyms/SD/handdrum(darabuca)/BD/xyl/TD/susp.cym/sleigh bells/2 tam-t/mcas/mark chimes/whip/bell tree/camel bells/mar/ vibraslap/riv.cym/(guiro)/(castanets) - harp - strings(12.10.8.6.4)

Availability

Full score and parts for hire

Programme Notes

Starring: Douglas Fairbanks Snr, Julanne Johnston, Snitz Edwards
Director: Raoul Walsh
Production Company: Douglas Fairbanks Snr. USA, 1924
Duration: 147 minutes
Film Print: 35mm and DCP colour print available from Photoplay Productions (UK and Europe), Cohen Film Collection (Rest of World) (Film Speed: 19-22 frames per second)

A landmark of the silent era, The Thief of Bagdad was made at enormous expense. It sparkles with the energy and acrobatics of the swashbuckling Douglas Fairbanks Snr. and the seductive designs of William Cameron Menzies. Ahmed is the thief-turned-deliverer. He embarks on a series of exotic adventures to win the hand of his beloved princess. Magic and the most extraordinary special effects, including a flying carpet, abound in this Arabian fantasy.
Carl Davis's exotic and imaginative score is based on Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade, and also some of the Russian master's other, lesser-known works. For the Mongol invasion, he drew on a little-known opera called The Invisible City of Kitezh, although elsewhere the music depicting the Mongols is original Davis.

The Thief of Bagdad

Orchestration of music by Mortimer Wilson

Auditorium Maurice-Ravel, l'Orchestre National de Lyon (Lyon, Rhône-Alpes, France)

Orchestre National de Lyon/Mark Fitz-Gerald

The Thief of Bagdad

Anhaltisches Theater (Dessau, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany)

Anhaltische Philharmonie Dessau/Elisa Gogou

The Thief of Bagdad

Anhaltisches Theater (Dessau, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany)

Anhaltische Philharmonie Dessau/Elisa Gogou

The Thief of Bagdad

Cinémathèque de la Ville de Luxembourg (Luxembourg, Luxembourg)

Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg/Carl Davis CBE

The Thief of Bagdad

Cinémathèque de la Ville de Luxembourg (Luxembourg, Luxembourg)

Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg/Carl Davis CBE