The importance of music in silent cinema: what was its role and how it was implemented

We are located in the birth of cinema, back in the late 19th century, technology had already advanced to the point of being able to record scenes and broadcast them to an audience, but it had not advanced enough to also be able to record voice. Music at this moment begins to play a primary role in this new format of cultural expression. Its role has always been to describe emotions, connect with the audience and even accompany the progress of a story, and that is why cinema in its greenest era, while still silent, adopted the music as a fundamental tool to tell what was happening in the films.

Throughout history, the world of cinema has experienced constant evolution, both in the field of technology and in the way in which a narrative is created. Music has been gaining importance throughout cinematic history. What starts as simple musical accompaniments in silent films, has become an essential part of the cinematic experience, capable of evoking emotions, creating atmospheres and delving deeper into the story.

Music in silent films

Nowadays, we wouldn't imagine a blockbuster movie without a great soundtrack composed by a musical genius, as one more element to adorn the narrative. But all this was very different in the silent cinema (or as it is colloquially called, dumb).

How was music used in silent cinema?

Initially the movies were projected without synchronized sound, that is, to compensate for this lack of dialogue and sound effects, they opt for live music, a format very similar to the orchestras that accompanied plays. It was also very common that they wanted to cover the sound of the machinery with it. Beyond setting the viewer's mood, the sound produced by the projector distracted the audience's attention. Cinemas had multiple musicians to perform music that accompanied the action that occurred on screen. This music served mainly to guide the audience's emotions throughout the film.. Quite a discovery!

They were also created custom character themes of the film and different tones were used to set the scenes; for example, much more intense music for action scenes or lighter music for more everyday scenes.

Type of music used in silent films

We all remember the iconic image of a silent film where after a scene a banner appears with its dialogue, acting as a script or voices in the film. This is why the music used in silent films did not need to use lyrics or singers to accompany the story. The first compositions for these films were always instrumental.

The pianists and accompanying musicians adapted their repertoire to the needs of each film, using classical music, popular songs, improvisations and even manually created sound effects.

The role and importance of music in silent cinema

Music played a crucial role in silent cinema, helping to compensate for the lack of synchronized sound and enriching the cinematic experience. Their role has always been to describe emotions, connect with the audience and even accompany the progress of a story., and that is why cinema in its greenest stage, while still silent, adopted music as a fundamental tool to tell what was happening in the films.

The evolution of music in cinema

With the evolution of synchronized sound, music in cinema experienced a transformation. Sound films better integrated sound and image, thus opening new doors for composition.

Throughout the history of cinematography, composers such as Ennio Morricone, John Williams and Hans Zimmer have left their mark with iconic soundtracks. Morricone, known for “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,” and Williams for “Star Wars,” have profoundly influenced the audience experience. Hans Zimmer, famous for “The Lion King” and “Gladiator” is another prominent name. Additionally, figures such as Bernard Herrmann and Howard Shore have left a lasting legacy with their compositions.

Little by little, all these composers have enriched cinema with their music, transcending the screens and demonstrating their importance in the narrative on the screens..

History of soundtracks in cinema

What was the first movie with a soundtrack?

“The Jazz Singer”, released in 1927, was the first film with a recorded soundtrack, which made it a fundamental milestone. This innovation not only revolutionized the film industry of the time, but also laid the foundation for the development of soundtracks to this day.

This film included great technological advances; used pre-existing recordings of music and dialogue synchronized with the action on screen, opening up new creative possibilities for filmmakers.

Soon, Talkies became the norm instead of the strange, forever transforming the cinema experience for audiences and creators.

Transformation of cinema with the arrival of soundtracks

It is from this moment that music was no longer limited to accompanying the action on screen, but became an integral part of the narrative. This shift ushered in a new era for film and cemented the critical role music plays in the entertainment industry.

Can you imagine seeing “Titanic” without the classic “My Heart Will Go On”, or enjoy “Jurassic Park” without its immersive soundtrack? Well, we have to thank all this to those geniuses of the 19th century who decided to promote this format and brought the cinema experience to our days.

It is our commitment to the fans of Film Symphony Orchestra present a unique experience where they can enjoy the magic of the seventh art through music, transport yourself to that imaginary world and surrounded by the feelings they create.