BWW Reviews: The General with Buster Keaton and Ethan Uslan on Piano - a Rare Treat

Last night it was raining and I was dreading the thought of going out, but I committed to meet friends
for a movie...  I am so happy I did.  I saw "The General" starring Buster Keaton, a silent 1926 film at Tate Hall at Central Piedmont Community College. It was a great silent film and stood up to time with the story of a train engineer, Keaton, his romance with a young woman, Marion Mack and his unorthodox entry into the civil war. Keaton was embroiled in nonstop action. He and Mack did all of their dangerous stunts with no stand-ins or green screens.  The film though, had some special effects including a lightning strike and some innovative photography. I appreciate the advanced techniques for the time. They were using a crank 35mm camera.

Ethan Uslan, winner of the 2007 World Championship  Old Time Piano Contest, played a grand piano to the screen. In his arrangement he captured the mood, action and the suspense of the movie with civil war and 1920s songs including Aura Lea (the original Love Me Tender!), The Minstrel Boy, Dixie, Bonnie Blue Flag, Battle Hymn of the Republic, Battle Cry of Freedom, Scott Joplin's, Magnetic Rag, Carolina in the Morning, Yes We Have No Bananas and Muskrat Ramble. My attention was on the film, but every now and then, I looked over to see his talent. Uslan never missed a beat and he played nonstop for 107 minutes! 'Piano at its best!

This was one of many events sponsored by Sensoria Celebration of the Arts http://sensoria.cpcc.edu/  and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Libraries

If you enjoy piano, see Ethan Uslan play. He will be appearing at Petra's Piano Bar and Cabaret on 5/3 at 8:30 p.m. with the silent movie, "Seven Chances" with Buster Keaton, 5/4 at 8 p.m. he performs solo. He will be at Cafe Monte on 5/5, 5/12 and 5/19, 7 p.m. playing piano and he will be at Old Providence Elementary School on 5/18 at 6:30 p.m. for a “Silent Movie” night. For more information see his Web site: www.uslanmusic.com