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Imagine a night at the symphony but with a cinematic twist! The Utah Symphony is set to transport audience members into the world of film like never before with its 2023-24 Films in Concert, with blockbusters including "Black Panther," "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2," "Love Actually," "Casablanca" and more.
At these unique symphony performances, audiences experience the magic of movies on the big screen as the world-class musicians of the orchestra perform every note live to picture. For many people, it quickly becomes their favorite kind of movie night.
"It's unreal! The blend of live orchestral music brought an entirely new dimension to the movies I love," Janey Huff of Layton said. She attended "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" last June. "It seriously felt like the characters and their emotions leaped off the screen—and don't get me started on the sound. My TV and speakers at home can't even compare!"
The Utah Symphony's Films in Concert programs elevate the art of film to new heights. As audiences settle into their seats, they are not just preparing to watch a movie, they are preparing to immerse themselves in a full symphonic experience through the familiarity of their favorite movie scores.
The symphony synchronizes its performance to be right on beat with the film, which is no simple task. To ensure the live music is perfectly timed to the film projection, the conductor wears a specially designed earpiece that provides the exact tempo through soft clicks. In addition, a small light box and stopwatch are attached to the podium to provide a visual reminder of the passing measures, helping the conductor keep the musicians right on cue with the action on screen.
The result? Audiences don't just see and hear the film, they feel it. The orchestra's performance heightens the drama, intensifies the suspense, and deepens the emotions, making for an electrifying cinematic journey.
Kicking off the Films in Concert series—and the new 2023-24 season—is Marvel Studios' "Black Panther" in Concert. Featuring an Oscar and Grammy-winning score composed by Ludwig Göransson, this film has been highly anticipated by Marvel and symphony fans alike.
"I can't wait for Black Panther!" Marvel enthusiast Grand Hadley says. "I've been telling all my friends and we're getting a group together to go. I just know it's going to be epic!"
With a percussion-heavy score, this movie-concert experience also showcases a traditional instrument from Senegal — the Tama drum — and one of the world's most renowned masters of the instrument, Massamba Diop.
The Tama is sometimes dubbed a "talking" drum due to its famous ability to replicate human speech sounds, so it lends a unique quality to the movie's soundtrack. The opportunity to hear the instrument played by Diop, who was front-and-center for the original recording of Ludwig Göransson's score for "Black Panther," is not to be missed.
The Films in Concert series continues with another action-packed favorite, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2" In Concert. For years, the Utah Symphony has presented one Harry Potter movie each fall and now the grand finale has arrived.
Just before Halloween, fans of the wizarding world will unite as the final chapter of the beloved saga unfolds on the big screen, while the symphony performs the spellbinding score composed by the legendary Alexandre Desplat. For those lucky enough to get tickets (these concerts always sell out), it's a chance to relive the magic of Harry's, Hermione's, and Ron's last stand against the dark forces of Voldemort in an entirely new way.
The Utah Symphony's Films in Concert experiences will continue through the holidays and into the spring — so check out the coming attractions, grab your friends or make it a special date night, and step into the glimmering Maurice Abravanel Hall in downtown Salt Lake City for the ultimate cinematic experience.
