On the Movies
On the Movies

On the Movies

Music’s descriptive magic, written by women and about women
Marin Alsop & Laura Karpman, co-curators

CSO Series
Fri, July 24, 2026 6:00 PM Tickets
Fri, July 24, 2026 8:00 PM Tickets

About the Performance

Performers

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Marin Alsop, conductor and co-curator
Laura Karpman, composer and co-curator

Chi-Yuan Lin, guest conductor

Program

8:00 PM – Hunter Pavilion

The Science of Scoring: “Perception & Touch of Evil Bernard Herrmann: “Scène d’amour” from Vertigo
Arturo Márquez: Danzón No. 2
Henry Mancini: Original scene audio from Touch of Evil

“The Female Lens” Suite Anna Meredith: Nautilus (arr. Jack Ross)
Chanda Dancy: Main Titles from Lawmen: Bass Reeves
Rachel Portman: Main Titles from Cider House Rules
Hildur Guðnadóttir: “Confessions” from A Haunting in Venice
Germaine Franco: Encanto Suite

Natalie Holt: “Hanging Out” from Obi-Wan Kenobi
John Williams: Star Wars Title Theme Conducted by Chi-Yuan Lin

–Intermission–

Leonard Bernstein: Symphonic Suite from ‘On the Waterfront’

Laura Karpman: Unsung: A Symphonic Suite for the Superhero Women of Classic Hollywood (Ravinia commission, Premiere)

SAT, JULY 25, 2026 • Pre‑Concert Event

Workshop/Performance: “The Science of Scoring”

6:00 p.m. in the Sandra K. Crown Theater

As Oscar-nominated composer Laura Karpman explains it, “the absolute magic of music in film is contingent on a strange bargain between an audience and a composer—it’s pure witchcraft.” Karpman and Ravinia Chief Conductor Marin Alsop lead an interactive presentation with a studio-size ensemble, workshopping sounds that demonstrate “The Science of Scoring” to create heroic, sad, suspenseful, and more moods.

This interactive performance and master class will run approximately 50 minutes, without intermission.

“The Science of Scoring” precedes tomorrow evening’s concert by St. Vincent with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Tickets to this special event do not include park admission for the evening, which must be purchased additionally.

See Complete July 25 Add-On Event Ticket Info