Silent films were never silent...
Presenting a new album by our resident pianists!
THE LAUNCH ON FEBRUARY 21st
Music for Silent Films is a compilation of piano compositions crafted by Agustina Taborda and Mila Maia during their time at Silent Cinema, where they have been resident pianists since its inception. This project unites music that emerges from live performances, engaging directly with silent films.
The album is set to launch on February 21st and will be accessible in both physical and digital formats via Bandcamp and on this page.
The origins of cinema, contrary to what the name suggests, were far from silent. Film showings featured musical performances by pianists and even full orchestras. Charlie Chaplin, a legendary figure in silent films, not only directed and acted in his movies but also composed their music. This highlights the significant role that film music has played since cinema's early days.
Since our cinema's establishment nearly four years ago, we have consistently featured piano performances by talented artists like Mila Maia and Agustina Taborda during screenings. Our partnership has led to the creation of this album, which we are excited to share with you today.
In this manner, we make sure that silent cinema does not disappear into obscurity, as it remains a distinctive form of cinematic art that has inspired, continues to inspire, and will keep inspiring artists from all backgrounds.
MILA MAIA
Mila Maia is a Brazilian flautist, pianist, composer and educator. Passionate about instrumental music from different parts of the world, her exposure to a variety of genres have shaped her approach to performance and composition, from classical music to Choro, Flamenco, Tango and Traditional Irish Music.
Mila performs and writes music for concerts, collaborative projects, and film soundtracks. She holds an MA in Composition and Creative Music Practice from the Irish World Academy, University of Limerick. She currently works as a music tutor and serves as pianist-in-residence at Silent Cinema Galway, while actively collaborating with other musicians. She was awarded the Creative Practitioner Bursary by Galway City Council, supporting her continued development of original music.
Mila has released singles and EPs such as Across The Green Ocean, Way To Fiastra and an EP tribute to Astor Piazzolla "História do Tango", featuring guitarist Giovani Di Ganzá. In 2025, she composed and performed a new soundtrack for the closing screening of The Passion of Joan of Arc at the Galway Silent Film Festival, for piano and violin. Her compositions reflect her experience across classical, popular and improvised traditions.
AGUSTINA TABORDA
Agustina Taborda is a bandoneonist, pianist, and composer from Argentina, currently living in Galway, Ireland.
As a composer, she has released a solo album titled I bhfad ar shiúl—a project supported by the GalwayCounty Council Arts Bursary—along with collaborative works Por Mercurio and Poca y Agus. She also creates and improvises music for Silent Cinema Galway.Agustina plays regularly the bandoneon with the tango duos Vito Sputnik and Ruiz Taborda, the German tango sextet Papas C, the salsa–trad fusion group Baile an Salsa, composer and flutist Mila Maia, and the Latin/swing duo Floating Barrio. She is also the organist at Salthill Church.
Additionally, she has worked with Rodney Owl, Bajomundo, Duelo Criollo, JamieToomey, The Curly Organ, Galway Baroque Singers, Treo Ensemble, Donegal Chamber Orchestra, and more.
Join Agustina and Mila on Saturday, February 21st at An Taibhdhearc in Galway City! They will provide piano and flute accompaniment for the screening of The Garden of Eden, the newly restored silent classic from 1928, which will have its Irish Premiere and is included in the Dublin International Film Festival's program.
Before the show, enjoy a cocktail party and grab a physical album!
