Verena Rast is the new Orchestra Director of the Braunschweig State Orchestra. At the recent film festival, she had her first working days – now she has spent many months co-planning the opening film concert. We spoke with her about the work and milestones of the State Orchestra, the medium of film, and the opportunities that such collaborations present.
How does the State Orchestra view the collaboration with the Braunschweig International Film Festival?
It's always something very exciting because it's not part of our daily routine. You're neither on stage as part of a symphony concert nor in the orchestra pit as part of an opera production. Playing the film concert in the VW Hall – a different location, a different genre – makes this event special.
It's an exciting stage we offer the orchestra, with lots of variety, because every year, the film music is completely different. This year, with Bram Stoker's Dracula, the music will be very intense. We are really excited about it. The tradition of this collaboration has grown over many years and is definitely extraordinary.
How would you describe the uniqueness of a film concert?
The film is a completely different sparring partner for us, and we don’t play film concerts every day. It’s simply wonderful to be part of the opening of the Braunschweig Film Festival as the Braunschweig State Orchestra. That’s why this cooperation is so valuable. It all comes together so beautifully because we are passionate about bringing something great to the stage for the city where we live and work. Ideally, the people of Braunschweig will understand that this film festival is something truly special – and they’ll come. The opening film concert has the potential to be a grand cinematic experience – visually, emotionally, and musically.
How is it for the State Orchestra to perform this particular film?
This theme fits perfectly into our season, as we also have the stage production Nosferatu on our schedule. I think this film is just fantastic, because it has that old-school aesthetic that I really like, and because it manages to convey the atmosphere of the film through its music. This makes it exciting for the musicians too, as the music is so diverse, ranging from gripping drama to delicate melodies, and even to ethereal sounds created by the choir.
What makes good film music?
Film music tells a story. With drama, sadness, romance... whatever the cinematic emotions may be. Without music, the scenes in a film have a completely different effect.
Do you have a favorite film?
There are many films I like, but I have to admit that my medium is the theater, and opera tells me the stories I love.
What milestones would you like to achieve with the State Orchestra in the future?
I’d like to reach even more young people through or with the orchestra, to show the future generation that classical music is cool – and opera, by the way, too. I also hope this will happen through the House of Music and the connections that will arise there through the music school. Of course, there’s already a lot of work being done with children and young people, but I’d like to see even more milestone moments in our collaborative work as an orchestra.
What opportunities does the film festival offer you as a platform?
Audience outreach is a major topic in every cultural field, and I believe that the cooperation is enriching for both us and the BIFF because it’s a reciprocal relationship. Just as we want to show that it's cool to be involved in an orchestra, whether passively or actively, there may be people who come because of the music and then become aware of the film festival and the medium of film. That’s why this collaboration is extremely important for both institutions.
Looking at this year’s festival, what are you particularly excited about?
I was actually looking forward to experiencing everything from the very beginning and enjoying it in the end with the people involved and the audience. For me, the focus is on togetherness. I'm especially happy to have been able to accompany the entire process, from the idea of which film to select, to the final realization with the team. The colleagues at the film festival are incredibly warm; I really like all of them. It’s simply wonderful to have a cooperation partner where it's not just about the formal aspects of working together, but about sharing a passion.
The interview was conducted by Falk-Martin Drescher.