Others certainly merit mention, but for our money, John Williams is the greatest film composer of all time. On Halloween weekend, the iconic maestro’s greatest works are being brought to life in honor of his 95th birthday as The Florida Orchestra hosts John Williams @ 95: From Star Wars to Harry Potter.
The must-experience show will have two performances over the weekend, with one each in Tampa and St. Pete. The St. Pete show takes place on Sunday, November 1, at 2 pm at The Mahaffey Theatre. The Tampa show takes place on Friday, October 30, at 7:30 pm at Straz Center. Tickets for each are available now.
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Combining Florida’s premier musical experience in The Florida Orchestra with John Williams, the most celebrated composer of our lifetime, makes this show a must for cinephiles and audiophiles alike. It’s a chance to be bathed in the sounds of some of the last century’s greatest films, as if you were in the recording studio with Williams himself. As a lifelong lover of his work, this is one I added to my calendar as soon as the dates were announced.
Williams’ lengthy career has seen him work on some of the biggest blockbusters of all time. In fact, it was one of the earliest movies he composed, Jaws, that actually created the modern definition of the term blockbuster. Without Williams, cinema wouldn’t be the same.
He’s the reason we all know Darth Vader’s Imperial March, Harry Potter’s Hedwig’s Theme, and the suspense building Jaws theme. The moment we first see dinosaurs at Jurassic Park, the emotions we feel with Kevin Malone when he’s Home Alone over Christmas, and the awesome terror of melting faces as Indiana Jones averts his gaze in Raiders of the Lost Ark were all brought into our collective social consciousness thanks to John Williams.
In just a couple of weeks, we get to experience that music in person through a full orchestra. Tickets to see The Florida Orchestra’s performance of John Williams @ 95 are available here.
The Florida Orchestra is Florida’s premier musical experience
Of course, that’s just one big show to look forward to this time of year. The Florida Orchestra, headquartered right here at home, officially kicked off their fall lineup at the beginning of October, bringing an incredible run of concerts to St. Pete, Tampa and Clearwater throughout the season.
As your fall calendar fills up, you’ll want to add these dates to your must-see list.
Pops in the Park
Sat 10/24 in Vinoy Park
Pack a picnic. Grab a blanket. Then settle in for one of Tampa Bay’s most-loved traditions featuring blockbuster movie music, Broadway favorites and classical hits.
Ginastera’s Harp Concerto
Fri 11/6 at Straz Center; Sat 11/7 at Mahaffey; and Sun 11/8 at Ruth Eckerd Hall
Led by the electrifying Carlos Miguel Prieto, this program dives into bold, vibrant sounds from across the Latin world. Soloist Emily Levin takes the harp to thrilling new heights.
The Blue Danube & Beyond
Fri 11/20 at Zinober Hall (USF Tampa), and Sat 11/21 at Mahaffey Theater
Indulge in the true charm of Vienna, where the waltz meets a dash of whimsy – from the pulsing lilt of The Blue Danube to the elegance of Der Rosenkavalier Opera Suite. A sassy cello concerto sparkles with a gleeful, modern twist.
