"The Exquisite Risk of |
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"The Exquisite Risk of |
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Well, the band has often supplied music for
documentaries and other film projects, but this is the first time it has been the focus of
one. This is a documentary about the 1st Brigade Band and its performance of original period music on original instruments
as filmed by a native of our adopted hometown, Watertown, Wisconsin.
The focus of the video is the performance of historical music
on the instruments that originally made it; how these instruments, still in the experimental
stages at this period in history change, interact with, and influence the people who
play them. 
It delves into the use of
antiques in performance, original music and period costume to re-create the sights and sounds of a lost era,
gender issues (modern and historical), and performance difficulties (both music and instrument). The documentary
covers everything from modern ensemble performance and personnel, to
the life and times of the people who originated this
music, as well as the actual collecting, repairing and preserving of music and horns.
The video takes place over the summer of 2001 in the rehearsal hall,
several performance and parade sites,
and includes interviews in the rehearsal hall and homes of some of the participants; gathering the various perspectives of the
individuals on their roles and interactions within the group.
Dan Senn, a Watertown, Wisconsin native - now from the state of Washington; an instrumental artist, composer, designer of experimental musical instruments, freelance film maker and owner of Newsense-Intermedium, has filmed and produced this documentary, which will also air in 2002 in several public television venues. Photos on this page courtesy of Dan Senn.
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