7 pm Saturday May 3, 2025
Peter Krasinski, organ
Silents are Golden: "The Last Command" (1928 silent film) with original accompaniment

Directed by Austrian-American director Josef von Sternberg, "The Last Command" stars Emil Jannings. Jannings won an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role at the 1929 ceremony for this performance and for his role in The Way of All Flesh. 1929 was the only year multiple roles were considered. Evelyn Brent and William Powell co-star.

The film offers a dramatic story of love and heroism, set in Hollywood contemporary with its production, and in Czarist Russia during the Revolution. The plot, based on a real ex-general in the Imperial Russian Army, earned the film an Oscar nomination for Best Original Story. American playwright and filmmaker Preston Stuges declared "The Last Command" perhaps the only perfect picture he had ever seen. It was rated four out of four stars by film critic Leonard Maltin. The film was entered into the Criterion Collection of the LIbrary of Congress in 2010.

Organist PETER KRASINSKI is a conductor, organist and music educator who has become known for his imaginative interpretations in creating improvised accompaniments to silent films. He has received many performance prizes, including the First Prize in Improvisation from the American Guild of Organists' National Competition.

Krasinski delights in uncovering the nuances and important messages in works made before sound tracks, His performances behind 'the Big Screen,' provide intriguing windows into history. narrated through his jovial personality and piercing insight into human nature.

Youth under 18 are admitted free to all concerts presented by Friends of the Stone Church.

Holders of the Massachusetts Card to Culture, a program of the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, are entitled to request one or two free tickets at the box office. Reservations are not required to use the Card to Culture. If you are planning to obtain a free ticket and wish to make a reservation, you may contact us by email to Events@FriendsoftheStoneChurch.org at least 48 hours prior to the start of the event. Thank you.