Screen & Score: E.T.A. Hoffmann - The Sandman

The short story "The Sandman," published in 1815, is one of the most eerie works of fiction by the satirical Romantic writer E.T.A. Hoffmann. Its masterful interplay of different perspectives, alienation, and enigmatic elements reflects the philosophical and psychological concepts of the era and, with sharp irony, elevates them to a timeless level. It stands to reason to combine the work with images and new media—and with music, since the universal genius Hoffmann was also a significant composer of the early Romantic period and a highly talented draftsman to boot. This time, the images are created live and digitally; the music for saxophone and piano is contemporary and spans a range from very Hoffmann-esque nocturnes to the promise of a sunrise. Judit Varga from Hungary and Gerald Resch from Austria are among the established contemporary composers, while Nuno Lobo from Portugal and Bianca Bongers from the Netherlands successfully represent the younger generation. The Tyrolean saxophonist Andreas Mader and his piano partner Christos Papandreopoulos are already well-known on the international music scene as a young duo.