Ian Deterling

The Cabinet of Caligari for orchestra

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, Op. 5 (2014)

  • Orchestra

  • Grade 3.5

  • ca. 4:30

Score/Parts PDF Previews

Program Notes

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is silent German expressionist film from 1920. Considered by many to be the first 'true' horror film, Caligari was incredibly innovative with its use of cinematography, warped sets, and the first substantial use of what is now known as the ‘plot-twist’ ending. The title character of the film, Dr. Caligari, has a cabinet - (believe it or not!) - and in this cabinet lives the somnambulist (the sleepwalker), Cesare, who goes around carrying out the Dr.’s evil deeds.

  • Directed by Robert Wiene and staring Werner Krauss and Conrad Veidt, The Cabinet of Dr. Calagari continues to influence, inspire, and captivate filmmakers even today. This work for orchestra makes use of several themes used in Deterling's score that he composed to accompany the film:

    • ’Dr. Caligari’ theme [A] - first heard in bassoons and horns in measures 5-6.

    • ‘Dr. Caligari’ theme [B] - first heard in oboe 1 and clarinets in measures 13-14.

    • ‘Cesare’ theme - first heard in bassoons, low brass, and low strings in measures 20-22.

    • ‘Jane/Love’ theme - first heard in flutes and clarinet 1 measures 61-64.

    • ‘Plot twist is about to happen’ theme - first heard in violins 1 & 2 measures 113-116.

  • Instrumentation:

    • 2 Flutes

    • 2 Oboes

    • 2 Clarinets in Bb

    • 2 Bassoons

    • 4 Horns in F

    • 3 Trumpets in Bb

    • 2 Tenor Trombones

    • Bass Trombone

    • Tuba

    • Timpani

    • Percussion 1: Xylophone, Crash Cymbals

    • Percussion 2: Suspended Cymbal, Bass Drum, Tambourine, Tam-tam

    • Harp (optional)

    • Violin 1

    • Violin 2

    • Viola

    • Violoncello

    • Double Bass