Renowned organist, and silent film accompanist Dennis James to appear in lecture-concert performance of Lillian Gish film "My True Heart Susie"

ALFRED – If you like Ragtime music – or the music of a theater organ, or the silent-movie era films of Lillian Gish – there’s a treat in store for you next month.

The Music Department of Alfred University’s Performing Arts Division, School of Art and Design, will host Dennis James, an internationally renowned theater organist, on Thursday, Feb. 3 in the Holmes Auditorium of Harder Hall. James will bring, and play, the My True Heart Susie musical score, compiled from classic Ragtime compositions by Joe Lamb and combined with popular Ragtime-era, salon and generic silent film musical pieces.

His performance begins at 6 pm and is open to the (masked) public.

James served as Lillian Gish’s personal tour musical accompanist for her nationwide in-person screening events during the 1970’s. He started performing the musical score of True Heart Susie, which he calls “this particularly affecting rural melodrama,” beginning at the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Cinematheque, and using a digitally preserved print of the Gish film. He notes Gish’s performance as “Susie” is considered by many to be her best performance.