Nosferatu Original Score
Tom has written a new original score for the 100th anniversary of the release of Nosferatu. On behalf of the Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau Foundation, Luciano Berriatúa extensively restored the film classic.
Read more about Tom's inspiration, and his writing process below.
Composing for Nosferatu
I’ve known about Nosferatu for as long as I can remember, but I never watched it until the Pittsburgh Silent Film Society asked me to compose a new score for the 100th anniversary of its release. Once I saw it, I was hooked.
This masterpiece of a film took over my life. Inspiration for the music would wake me from my sleep, forcing me out of bed so I could write it down before it was lost to me.
“I was aware that the music becomes a major part of our experience when watching a silent film—the wrong music can totally destroy our experience of the film. ”
Tom used what he had learned in writing scores for Charlie Chaplin’s films to create something truly original and unique for Murnau’s film.
Chaplin stated that a profound sense of irony was the key ingredient: to juxtapose the most elegant music against the most outrageous slapstick. And to also create an almost subconscious means of the audience to connect with the story and characters.
“Someone once said that watching a silent film is like being in a dream.”
Inspiration Behind the Score
When composing for Nosferatu, Tom drew from a range of influences, blending classical motifs with contemporary techniques to capture the film's eerie atmosphere.
"I wanted the music to reflect the tension between light and shadow that defines the film. It was about creating something that felt timeless yet innovative—something that would resonate with modern audiences while honoring the film's century-old legacy."
Tom’s unique approach transforms the score into a vital element of the film’s narrative, intensifying the drama and enhancing the surreal imagery.
Booking info
Would you like to spend an evening with Nosferatu? Contact Tom at 917.627.9594 or via email.