Acclaimed silent film composer and pianist Donald Sosin reflects on what shaped his life and artistry—from his US upbringing and time in Europe to a serendipitous encounter with silent film that grew into a lifelong vocation and a decades-long association with the Museum of Modern Art. He also explores the craft of improvising and composing for classics such as Nosferatu; what silent cinema reveals about storytelling without words; and how collaboration with his wife, Joanna Seaton—and resilience through life’s challenges—have deepened both his artistry and his family life.

Mr. Sosin discusses learning the TM technique in 1972 and its enduring impact on his creative process, enabling him to “clear away the mental noise” while sustaining a vibrant musical career spanning more than 50 years.

Acclaimed silent-film composer and pianist Donald Sosin reflects on what shaped his life and artistry.

Donald Sosin, a graduate of the University of Michigan and Columbia University, studied composition with William Albright and Jack Beeson and has been a film accompanist at the Museum of Modern Art and Film at Lincoln Center since 1973. He performs annually at two of Europe’s major film festivals—Le Giornate del Cinema Muto and Il Cinema Ritrovato—and at many other venues across the US, Europe, and Asia. Mr. Sosin has been commissioned to create new scores for landmark films, including Manhatta, the first US avant-garde film; Richard III, the earliest surviving US feature film; and Sherlock Holmes (1916), the first full-length film about the famed detective.

Mr. Sosin has created scores for dozens of classic films reissued on DVD and Blu-Ray, including Nosferatu, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, King of Kings, and films by Yasujirō Ozu. His work extends to Broadway, PBS documentaries, chamber and choral works, and more than 1,500 published music arrangements. He frequently collaborates with his wife, actress and singer Joanna Seaton, performing and leading workshops nationwide. Together, they have toured extensively and remain dedicated to bringing classic cinema and live music vividly to contemporary audiences.

Christine Albers, host of TM Talks, interviewed Donald Sosin. This interview was aired on March 8, 2026.