What happens when film and music do not merely accompany each other, but engage in a dialogue?

In the ongoing project Stairway to Music by Het Muziek, filmmaker Ruut van der Beele and the ensemble explore how image and sound can reinforce, challenge, and transform one another. Each year, they collaboratively produce a series of new Stairway videos, each centered around a work from the tradition of contemporary music—ranging from 20th-century masterpieces to the most recent compositions.

Through excerpts from Ruut’s work and live performances of the music featured in several Stairway to Music videos, the audience gains insight into the creative choices behind the collaboration between filmmaker and composer, between image and sound.

The evening begins with a performance of Poème Symphonique, followed by various film excerpts that form the basis for a discussion on rhythm, atmosphere, imagination, and composition. Later, a soloist from Het Muziek performs music by composer Guus Janssen from one of the Stairway films, bringing film and live performance together in the venue. The program is moderated by artist and artistic researcher Anneroos Goosen, who will converse with Ruut and Fedor Teunisse, the artistic director of Het Muziek.

An inspiring encounter for anyone curious about the art of both seeing and listening.

This program is curated by November Music in collaboration with film house Verkadefabriek and Beholders; Documentary Dialogues.