BRAVE WOLFE
Brave Wolfe is a neo-classical music video featuring violinist Katherine Gilger and trumpeter David Dash performing Mark O’Connor’s evocative arrangement. Set against the stunning landscapes New Mexico, the video explores the intersection of traditional technique and contemporary folk-inspired sound. With a cinematic, visual narrative that complements the music’s emotional depth, Brave Wolfe offers a fresh, artistic interpretation beyond typical classical presentations.
FULL VIDEO
BRAVE WOLFE
Violin – Katherine Gilger
Trumpet – David Dash
Composition – Public Domain, Arranged by Mark O’Connor
Producer, Director, Cinematographer – Max Highstein
Filmed in Eldorado at Santa Fe, New Mexico, and in Lamy, New Mexico in and around the Our Lady Of Light church.
Music recorded at the Desert Heart studio.
TRAILER
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
Max Highstein is the owner and creative force behind Desert Heart Multimedia. A multifaceted filmmaker, photographer, composer, and author, Max prioritizes projects that foster happiness, healing, and connection.
His films and photography reveal the heart and soul of his subjects with warmth, invitation, and a touch of whimsy. Recent works for the Our Lady of Light Historical Foundation and the Santa Fe Animal Shelter have earned critical praise. His recent music video garnered a One Earth Award and featured at the Santa Fe Film Festival. A fashion shoot of his appeared in the Fall 2024 edition of Detaron Magazine.
Max is also an accomplished musician with over a dozen albums receiving global airplay, topping the Roots Music Report chart, and winning multiple accolades including the Global Music Awards and New Mexico Music Awards.
In addition to his creative pursuits, Max holds two master’s degrees in counseling. His guided meditation audio recordings have sold more than 100,000 copies worldwide. His acclaimed book, The Healing Waterfall: 100 Guided Imagery Scripts for Counselors, Healers, & Clergy, available in English and Spanish, is used by thousands of professionals internationally.
DIRECTOR STATEMENT
Living and working in Santa Fe, New Mexico, I am surrounded by one of the most inspiring landscapes in the world. The Santa Fe Opera Orchestra brings extraordinary musicians each summer, and a photoshoot with violinist Katherine Gilger led to her participation in a documentary about Lamy, New Mexico, which in turn inspired this collaboration with her and trumpeter David Dash.
We recorded Mark O’Connor’s arrangement of the traditional tune Brave Wolfe in my studio, then filmed on location in the open spaces near the studio, along the railroad tracks, and within the historic Our Lady of Light church in Lamy. These locations reflect the blend of tradition and contemporary expression found in the music.
Katherine and David’s virtuosity and warm connection brought a profound sense of presence to the film, making the performance visually compelling. The piece’s length and repetitive structure posed a creative challenge, which I met with varied shots and thoughtful integration of the landscape and architecture. Together, these elements carry the emotional depth of the music in a cinematic form.