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According to historian Kurt London, film music was born out of necessity—it was needed to cover the sound of the projector. It wasn’t long, however, before film music took on an artistic life of its own.

During the silent era, movie theaters had to provide their own musical accompaniment, either by playing a phonograph or hiring musicians to improvise a score live. The first film composers, as we think of them today, appeared in 1929, when the ability to synchronize sound to celluloid emerged. Since then, film music has evolved from lush, sweeping symphonies to jazz-pop confections to blockbuster orchestrations combined with powerful synths.

In recent years, film music has undergone yet another transformation, with composers coming to the form not only from conservatories but also from the worlds of hip-hop, rock, jazz, and experimental music. Many work in close collaboration with directors to evoke mood as much as emotion. With programs curated by composers, Reel Change: The New Era of Film Music celebrates this period of increasingly adventurous film music and the wide-ranging influences of its most groundbreaking voices.

The LA Phil's Humanities Programs are generously supported by Linda and David Shaheen.

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Reel Change: Hildur Guðnadóttir

The New Era of Film Music

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Program

    • Hildur GUÐNADÓTTIR
    Under Takes Over
    • Ryuichi SAKAMOTO
    The Revenant Main Theme
    • Alvin LUCIER
    Silver Streetcar for the Orchestra
    • SAARIAHO
    Nymphéa Reflection: Feroce
    • Mica LEVI
    “Love” from Under the Skin
    • GÓRECKI
    Symphony No. 4, Op. 85: Deciso—Marcatissimo ma ben tenuto
    • Arvo PÄRT
    Fratres (version for String Orch and Percussion)
    • LIGETI
    Atmosphères
    • Hildur GUÐNADÓTTIR & Sam SLATER (arr. Robert Ames)
    Selections from Battlefield 2042
    • Hildur GUÐNADÓTTIR
    “Bathroom Dance” from Joker
  • Full program notes by Tim Greiving

Artists

  • Los Angeles Philharmonic
  • Hugh Brunt, conductor
  • Hildur Guðnadóttir, host & curator
  • Robyn Schulkowsky, triangle
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Reel Change: Kris Bowers

The New Era of Film Music

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Program

  • Inspirations Medley: Selections from composers Shigeru Umebayashi, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Owen Pallett, Arcade Fire, Björk, Jason Moran, and John Brion.
    • Kris BOWERS
    Horn Concerto (world premiere, LA Phil commission)
    • Kris BOWERS
    Green Book Medley
    • Kris BOWERS
    King Richard Medley
    • Kris BOWERS
    When They See Us Medley
    • Kris BOWERS
    Bridgerton Medley
  • Program notes by Tim Greiving

Artists

  • Los Angeles Philharmonic
  • Anthony Parnther, conductor
  • Andrew Bain, horn, John Cecil Bessell Chair
  • Kris Bowers, curator, piano
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Reel Change: Nicholas Britell

The New Era of Film Music

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Program

    • Nicholas BRITELL
    Selections from Vice
    • Nicholas BRITELL
    Selections from Don’t Look Up
    • Kathryn BOSTIC
    Selections from Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am
    • Nicholas BRITELL
    “Encomium” from If Beale Street Could Talk
    • Nicholas BRITELL
    Selections from The Underground Railroad
    • Jonny GREENWOOD
    Selections from There Will Be Blood
    • Terence BLANCHARD
    Selections from Malcolm X
    • Gary YERSHON
    "Mr. Turner" from Mr. Turner
    • Mica LEVI
    Selections from Jackie
  • More about the program, by Tim Greiving

Artists

  • Los Angeles Philharmonic
  • Hugh Brunt, conductor
  • Nicholas Britell, composer, curator