Ethan Uslan

Why don’t we watch the old silent films much anymore? Maybe it’s because we don’t have the benefit of a live score as moviegoers did back in the early years of film. Here’s your chance for that experience: Ragtime pianist Ethan Uslan will be in Davidson Saturday night, Jan. 30, to play a live soundtrack to the classic 1927 silent film “The General,” starring Buster Keaton.

Mr. Uslan, of Charlotte, will perform along with the film Saturday at 7 p.m. at St Albans Church, 301 Caldwell Lane, off Concord Road. It’s part of the Music at St. Alban’s series. (UPDATE: Because of snow, this event has been rescheduled to Saturday, Feb. 20, 7 p.m.)

Music for most silent films is not actually scored, though there were accompaniment books with suggested music for various themes. The emphasis is on “suggested.” “Most silent movies there’s no score, and the musicians have freedom,” said Mr. Uslan, who said he plays along with silent films a couple of times a year at Imaginon in Charlotte, as well as at film festivals.

Usually, Mr. Uslan will watch the films in advance and “devise a game plan.” By the time he sits down at the start of a film, “I’ve pretty much decided what’s appropriate at key points. I also improvise,” he said. Oh, and keep your ears open for some of his sound effects as well – there’s a train in “The General,” he says.

When he’s not playing along at silent films, Mr. Uslan plays ragtime and early jazz at festivals, concerts at universities and in senior communities. “I’ve found that senior citizens are very responsive to this type of music,” he said.

He plays regularly at Cafe Monte, in Charlotte’s Southpark area. In fact, he’ll be there Friday night, Jan. 29.

TICKETS FOR “THE GENERAL”

General Admission: $15; Students & Seniors: $10; Children under 10: Free. Tickets are available at the door, or in advance by calling 704-941-0650. Box office hours: 9-4, Monday through Friday.

More about Ethan Uslan on his website.