The Hands of Orlac; Halloween at the Winspear Centre

Shout out to Winspear for providing tickets for me to enjoy the event and for sponsoring Switching Styles’ very first ticket contest!

An Enchanting Halloween at the Winspear: Music Meets Spooky Magic

Walking into the Winspear’s Halloween event shattered any preconceived notions that live music might be dull. From the moment guests stepped into the venue, they were immersed in a world of eerie enchantment. Skulls and black lace draped the tables, while dim lighting cast mysterious shadows across the front lobby. The decor evoked an ambiance perfectly suited for Halloween—both sophisticated and spine-chilling.

A Thrilling Pre-Party to Set the Stage

Before the main event, the Winspear transformed into the ultimate Halloween pre-party. Guests were greeted by stilt walkers towering above them, their elaborate costumes blending whimsy with a dash of terror. The stilt walkers, courtesy of the National Stiltwalkers of Canada, didn’t just pose for photos but mingled among the crowd, guiding attendees toward the theater doors when the film started. Their sheer height and uncanny grace brought an air of fantasy, making everyone feel like they had stepped into a Tim Burton-inspired dreamscape.

The pre-party also featured an impressive lineup of entertainment, including a selfie wall for capturing Instagram-worthy moments and a DJ set by the energetic DJ Kwake. Guests danced to pulsating beats, while enjoying curated cocktails by Strathcona Spirits and Rig Hand Distillery. The drinks not only added to the festivities but were served by costumed bartenders who truly embraced the spooky theme.

Costumes, of course, played a central role. Staff members delighted attendees with their creative outfits. A towering “rare steak” checked tickets, while a clown straight out of a horror film served popcorn. Meanwhile, a playful witch-like Bo-Peep offered desserts, and a nurse mixed drinks that seemed like they could double as potions. Guests also embraced the Halloween spirit. Their costumes ranged from classic vampires to quirky interpretations like Ned Flanders from The Simpsons. The mingling of professional staff and attendees in costume made the pre-party feel like an immersive, interactive experience.

Bianca Million Ushers in the Main Event

While the pre-party was an undeniable hit, it merely set the stage for the night’s true highlight. As the clock struck 8 p.m., CTV’s Bianca Million, dazzling as “Hostess Barbie,” took to the stage to kick off the main event. Her introduction was theatrical. Fog rolled across the stage. Eerie red lighting illuminated the fog, bathing the room in a ghostly glow. Million’s dynamic presence energized the audience. Her playful nods to Halloween added excitement. This set the tone for what was to come.

The Hands of Orlac is a black-and-white silent film from the 1920s. 

Dennis James describes this thriller film as a “deliciously twisted thriller that blends Grand Guignol ecstasies with the German Expressionism”.

The film’s premise (for those that haven’t seen it) is a story following the aftermath of a tragic accident where Paul Orlac, a pianist, lost his hands. They were quickly replaced with the recently executed murderer, vascular.  The rest of the film is Orlac’s struggle with his demons and the demons of his new hands in a kind of Freudian discussion. Psychoanalysis and Freud’s research were popular discussion topics when the film was produced.

“Made in Vienna, the hotbed of psychoanalysis, this 1924 Austrian bubbles over with sexual innuendo and Freudian imagery,” describes Dennis James, “If you’re scared of Sigmund Freud, you’re going to be in a panic.”

Sigmund Freud, an Austrian neurologist, and founder of

Dennis James, an organist and historical music preservationist, is a master of reviving bygone musical traditions. Partnering with Michael Tsalka, an award-winning pianist and early keyboard performer, the duo transforms silent film screenings into multisensory experiences. This partnership, which they call Duo Filmharmonia, represents a seamless blend of musicology, historical preservation, and cinematic artistry.

Silent films, contrary to their name, were never truly silent. A hallmark of early cinema was the live musical accompaniment that enriched the storytelling and deepened emotional resonance. Duo Filmharmonia brought this tradition to life with stunning authenticity. Dennis James and Michael Tsalka featured in a recent performance that captivated audiences. Their dedication to preserving the integrity of silent-era filmmaking is not merely an artistic endeavor but a cultural mission.

A Unique Blend of Tradition and Innovation

Duo Filmharmonia’s approach is both reverent and innovative. While many silent film exhibitions today favor flashy, modern scores, James and Tsalka are committed to recreating the authentic soundtracks envisioned by the original filmmakers. Their loyalty to these historical details goes beyond nostalgia. It’s about offering audiences an experience that mirrors what viewers of the silent era would have felt.

Dennis James explains, “Movies were never silent. Silent films were accompanied by music designed to emphasize the story and evoke emotion. Our mission is to revive these works of art authentically, transcending the transient trends of modern interpretations.”

Their efforts have taken them across the globe, performing at prestigious venues such as the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria, and the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Germany. Whether scoring Janice Meredith with colonial American music or Silent Hamlet with compositions by the sons of J.S. Bach, Duo Filmharmonia brings historical depth to their projects.

This particular event marked the second performance of their specially crafted score for The Hands of Orlac, a classic silent horror film directed by Robert Wiene. The hauntingly beautiful score, developed just this summer, complemented the eerie narrative with uncanny precision. The musicians’ first run-through of this arrangement occurred only hours before their public performance, a testament to their incredible artistry and chemistry.

Immersing Audiences in Authentic Silent Film

What sets Duo Filmharmonia apart is their ability to immerse modern audiences in the silent film era’s aesthetic. This experience isn’t merely auditory—it’s deeply visceral. The resonant tones of the organ and the delicate interplay of the piano filled the concert hall, transforming the event into a dynamic interplay of sight, sound, and emotion.

During high-tension scenes, the music would pause entirely, leaving the audience in profound silence. This deliberate quiet heightened suspense, allowing the viewers to feel the gravity of each moment and even hear their own heartbeats in anticipation. Such techniques underscored the emotional depth of the film, amplifying its psychological impact.

The organ, with its deep and resonant sound, proved a fitting partner to Wiene’s chilling visuals. In one of the film’s most striking parallels, Michael Tsalka felt a deep connection to Paul Orlac, the protagonist and a concert pianist. This bond lent a unique authenticity to his performance. Tsalka’s mastery of his craft echoed the character’s own journey, adding layers of realism and emotional weight to the experience.

Bridging Past and Present

Dennis James and Michael Tsalka’s work is more than a performance; it is a preservation of cultural history. They champion an art form that, while often considered outdated, has enduring relevance. Duo Filmharmonia carefully reconstructs period-appropriate scores. This ensures that these films can be appreciated in the same spirit as when they were first created.

The evening’s performance was a testament to the duo’s passion and skill. They brought history to life, reminding audiences that the past can inform and inspire the present. In doing so, they not only honored the legacy of silent films but also reinvigorated it, showing that these works are far from forgotten relics—they are timeless pieces of art.

For those fortunate enough to witness this remarkable event, the music and visuals of The Hands of Orlac provided an unforgettable experience. It served as a bridge between eras. Duo Filmharmonia didn’t just accompany the film; they elevated it, creating a cinematic event that resonated on every level.