Last night, The Harry Potter Film Concert Series came to the Mahalia Jackson Theater to give a smashing performance of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in Concert along with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra playing the score. The movie played on a 40-foot screen much to the delight of audience members, many of whom were dressed in their Hogwarts' attire.
In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, cars fly, trees fight back and a mysterious house-elf comes to warn Harry Potter at the start of his second year at Hogwarts. Adventure and danger await when bloody writing on a wall announces: The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. To save Hogwarts will require all of Harry, Ron and Hermione's magical abilities and courage.
Earning a Grammy nomination for the score, the incredible music composed by John Williams became an instant classic, conjuring beautiful and soaring motifs continuing the adventures of Harry Potter on his magical journey. Hearing the music played live makes you realize how vital a soundtrack is to the feel and impact of a film. This film and this score highlight the magic.
The movie, accompanied by a live orchestra, is an entirely different experience that watching in a theater. Imagine Dolby and surround sound but bigger and better. The powerful score brought to life made the audience experience downright memorable. From the opening, iconic music of the Prologue, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra beautifully played Williams' score, led by conductor Justin Freer, who originally envisioned the combination of film and live music many years ago when he formed CineConcerts.
Freer, President of CineConcerts and Producer/Conductor of the Harry Potter Film Concert Series explains, "The Harry Potter film series is a once-in-a-lifetime cultural phenomenon that continues to delight millions of fans around the world. It is with great pleasure that we bring fans for the first time ever an opportunity to experience the award-winning music scores played live by a symphony orchestra, all while the beloved film is simultaneously projected onto the big screen. This is truly an unforgettable event."
Brady Beaubien of CineConcerts and Concert Producer for the Harry Potter Film Concert Series added, "Harry Potter is synonymous with excitement around the world and we hope that by performing this incredible music with the full movie, audiences will enjoy returning to the Wizarding World."
There's another performance Saturday, February 4 at 2 p.m. For more information on the Harry Potter Film Concert Series, please visit www.harrypotterinconcert.com.
