The most famous locomotive in cinema history, The General, and one of the most original comedians of all time, Buster Keaton, entered the golden pages of cinema nearly a century ago in 1926. Surprisingly, the film, which was later selected as one of the 100 best American movies, was not a success in its time. Many have written incidental music for this silent film in recent decades, and it has been made sounding with various sound effects. Spectacular and gripping, the movie is set during the American Civil War, and Apor Szűts has now written symphonic music for the film, to be performed live. Rich in melodies, ideas and special orchestral colours, the composition makes its creator follow in the footsteps of such great predecessors as Richard Strauss, the two-time Oscar-winner Erich Wolfgang Korngold and Emil Petrovics.