BRAVE WOLFE
Brave Wolfe is a cinematic alt-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.
BRAVE WOLFE TRAILER
The full film is currently on the festival circuit.
A password-protected screening link is available to musicians, presenters, and prospective collaborators on request.
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.
Interested in a music video of your own?
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SHORT 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 with and for the Our Lady of Light Historical Foundation and The Santa Fe Watershed Association have earned critical praise, and his work has received numerous film festival screenings and awards.
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.