THE HÄXAN SUITE (Lantern Light Records, 2023)
“Throughout, Gianola’s composition was attentive to every detail of the film, and the players flawlessly executed it while experimenting and improvising along the way. The composition was completely synchronized with the images, little trills timed perfectly with a raised eyebrow or comical movement, its apparent effortlessness evidence of just how much work must have gone into it. Deftly the players brought to life the film’s full range of emotional landscapes, from the delightful surrealism of the Witches Sabbath to the agonizing torture of the witch trials. Their musicianship successfully formed a bridge between the audience and the world of the film, which, while occasionally disorienting and disturbing, proved a fascinating place to spend an evening.” - Holly Devon, Antigravity Magazine, Reviewing a live performance of The Häxan score in May 2023.
The Häxan Suite is a recording of the majority of Tristan Gianola’s original soundtrack to the 1922 silent film Häxan - Witchcraft Through The Ages. It was recorded at Downman Sounds Studios (New Orleans, LA) in July 2023 for an ensemble of oboe, clarinet/bass clarinet, string trio, soprano with electronics, percussion and electric guitar. The album was engineered and mastered by Kyle Eroche (Lantern Light Records) and mixed by Tristan Gianola.
Featuring Megan Ihnen (Soprano/Vocals with Electronics/Glockenspiel), Rex Gregory (Clarinet/Bass Clarinet ), Persis Randolph (Oboe/Xylophone), Gabrielle Fishler (Violin), Catherine Matushek (Viola), Joshua Sierra (Cello), Hannah Graham (Percussion/Xylophone) and Tristan Gianola (Electric Guitar/Effects). Album art by Trista Musco.