The last of the first » Mika Meskanen

The second series of silent film concerts at Bablyon kicked off with "Berlin: Die Sinfonie der Großstadt", a pulsating journey through one day of urban life in 20s. The film was accompanied by Stephan von Bothmer on grand piano as usual. Very conservative performance, but I guess that's what the whole series is about. In the next couple of weeks, they're going to invite the last living silent film era pianist Willy Sommerfeld, who is about to turn 102! It's not yet sure whether he is going to play, but the only question he needs an answer to before playing goes: "Is it a happy or a sad film?" Hopefully I'll catch the show, because then I'd truly have peace with this fine tradition.