Faust: A German Folk Legend at RNCM
Johnny James, Managing EditorBook now
Faust: A German Folk Legend
Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.
Few legends have haunted the arts quite like Faust, the timeless tale of a man who sells his soul to the devil. From Delacroix’s lithographs to the music of Beethoven, Schumann and Mahler, artists can’t help but grapple with its dark allure. In 1926, F. W. Murnau gave the story one of its most unforgettable incarnations in his film, Faust: A German Folk Legend.
Murnau’s Faust blends Expressionist intensity with epic scale and surreal beauty. Nearly a century on, its images are still astonishing – from horsemen of the apocalypse galloping through the sky to the devil Mephisto towering over a plague-stricken town. It’s a silent-era masterpiece that remains a pinnacle of the form.
As part of the RNCM’s year-long Legends and Lore series, the film is brought to life with a live improvised score by organist Darius Battiwalla. A master improviser and Leeds City Organist, Battiwalla has long conjured spontaneous soundtracks to silent cinema, including a regular series at the National Media Museum. On the RNCM stage, his organ will summon a world of shadow and fire, amplifying Murnau’s tale of temptation, corruption and redemption in real time.
This is a rare chance to experience a landmark silent film on the big screen, as Murnau’s haunting imagery meets the spontaneity of live performance.
Part of the RNCM’s Autumn Season.
