Matalon / Lang – Metropolis revisited
The director of the Museo del Cine de Buenos Aires, Paule Félix-Didier, discovered in 2008 an unpreviously released version of the classic movie "Metropolis" by Fritz Lang (it was hidden in the archives as everyone thought it was lost). The Murnau Foundation, depositary of Lang’s work, undertook a new restoration of the film. Martin Matalon was obviously asked to adapt his work, to comply with the new reference version, as he composed the former music of the film that has been filling people with enthusiasm since 1995. A commission and a premiere by Ensemble Modern for the Salzburger Biennale and the Festival Märzmusik in Berlin last March, supported by Varèse and given in many places. The composer talks to Parade about his special relationship with this work, the discovery of the original copy, the new scenes and their contribution, and eventually, how he adapted his music to them: some precious comments on his instrumentation choices.
