The Tuba Bach chamber music festival wrapped up its 2025 season with an unforgettable grand finale, “At the Movies,” held at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Big Rapids, Michigan. This themed concert experience offered a dynamic fusion of live music and classic cinema, showcasing the talents of graduate students from Michigan State University’s College of Music alongside Ed Mallett, the founder and artistic director of Tuba Bach. The concert featured an exciting program that blended iconic animated shorts with a new score written for Buster Keaton’s 1920 silent comedy, One Week, with a musical backdrop that incorporated elements of J.S. Bach’s sixth cello suite.
The innovative concert format provided a unique multimedia experience, as the live performance of the MSU graduate students’ ensemble was synchronized with the screenings of the films. For the audience, it was a rare opportunity to enjoy the beauty of live music while being immersed in the timelessness of cinema. The choice of Keaton’s One Week—a classic silent film that relies heavily on visual humor and physicality—paired wonderfully with Bach’s intricate musical elements, making for an engaging and thought-provoking experience. The original score created for the film added a fresh layer to the already beloved work, offering a contemporary interpretation of a century-old film with a modern, classical twist.
The inclusion of animated shorts in the program further enriched the evening, giving audiences a broader scope of the interplay between film and music. These beloved films brought back memories of cinema’s golden age, with music that complemented and enhanced the emotional resonance of the visuals. Whether it was the energetic pace of the animated sequences or the nuanced humor of Keaton’s slapstick comedy, the musical compositions thoughtfully elevated the storytelling, providing an enriching layer to the viewing experience.
The Tuba Bach festival, which has long been dedicated to the intersection of classical music and modern performance, continues to push the boundaries of traditional chamber music. This year’s season finale, “At the Movies,” showcased how the festival is committed to evolving the classical music landscape and engaging audiences with creative and innovative presentations. The participation of graduate students from Michigan State University’s College of Music also highlighted the festival’s commitment to supporting the next generation of musicians, offering them a platform to showcase their talents alongside established professionals like Ed Mallett.
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Ed Mallett, known for his visionary work with Tuba Bach, expressed his enthusiasm for bringing this cinematic experience to life. His direction and involvement in the festival’s final concert brought together the technical elements of music, performance, and film to create something truly special. His ability to bridge the gap between classical music and other art forms, such as cinema, has established Tuba Bach as a festival that stands at the intersection of tradition and innovation.
As the 2025 Tuba Bach season came to a close, the festival’s dedication to blending classical music with other cultural mediums, like film, was celebrated by the audience. The “At the Movies” concert provided a memorable finale that will likely resonate with attendees for years to come. The combination of Bach’s timeless music, Keaton’s silent film genius, and the talents of the Michigan State graduate students created an evening that was both nostalgic and forward-thinking, perfectly reflecting the spirit of the Tuba Bach Festival.
Looking ahead, the Tuba Bach Festival will continue to be a crucial space for creativity in classical music, and with performances like this, it’s clear that the festival will remain a key player in the evolving world of classical music performances that challenge the boundaries of tradition. The success of “At the Movies” serves as an excellent example of how the arts—whether classical music, cinema, or both—can come together to create an experience that is rich, engaging, and timeless.