Mahler-Lichtbild-Konzert: Leopold Thoma’s Early Screen Mediation of the Composer in Context

In March 1914 a multimedia Lichtbild-Konzert was presented in Vienna’s ‘Urania’ that I argue is likely the first screen mediation of Mahler’s life, albeit already a remediation of early literary biographies, notably Richard Specht’s 1913 richly illustrated biography of the composer. Excavating a fuller picture of Lichtbild-konzerte touched on only briefly by Claus Tieber and Anna K. Windisch, the paper draws together what can be reconstructed of the ephemeral Mahler event, which nevertheless includes surviving lantern slides. It situates the event within wider contexts of early screen sound practices on the one hand, and the emerging genre of the composer biopic on the other. First presented in 1912 at the educational institute Wiener Urania and later at the Wiener Konzertverein, Lichtbild-Konzerte were inter- and multi-media presentations at a point of intersection between the educational lantern slide lecture, illustrated biography, vocal and instrumental concert, and, more rarely, biographical film and dance performance. The series proved a training ground for mysterious Romanian-born show- and film-man Dr Leopold Thoma, whose hybrid legal, writing and entertainment career exemplifies the enterprising spirit of many early film showmen.