Movies at The San Francisco Symphony Are Dope

The San Francisco Symphony’s movie series includes everything from Back to the Future to the Godfather. (Paolo Bicchieri)

BY DAVID COPPIN LANEGAN

Every few months or so, the tremendously skilled musicians of the San Francisco Symphony gather in Davies Symphony Hall to perform. Well, they gather far more often than that, but every few months they gather for a special occasion: the “Film With Live Orchestra Series”

At a film series night, a movie will be projected on a screen behind the orchestra. The orchestra will then play along, replacing the film’s soundtrack. They perform a wide variety of films, attracting diverse audiences. In the past they have performed the soundtracks to The Matrix, Back To The Future, Skyfall, Toy Story, and more.

I attended one such performance last year. All dressed up, I walked up the symphony hall’s proud marble stairs, found my seat, and looked around at all the other well dressed folks, many with big roses in their lapels. We were there to see The Godfather, after all.

The experience was really wonderful. The orchestra, of course, is immaculate. They have an enormous full-bellied sound, and perfect blending. Their command of dynamics stood out to me, how quiet they could go while still feeling immensely powerful. Like a whale dancing.

And they had swagger. The Mediterranean tinge to The Godfather’s soundtrack, composed by Nino Rota, needs some of that stuff to come across. It’s swooning and a little drunk in its timing and in the shakiness of its sound, and the SF Symphony did this wonderfully.

The symphony hall itself is a beautiful, wide and tall building. It’s imposing from the street but welcoming once you step inside. The red draperies and warm orange light that reflects off the white, carved walls creates a sleepy, but intense atmosphere. 

Davies Symphony Hall houses a full service bar. During intermission at a film series show, you can order a beverage of your choice and wander around the grounds. On the upper stories of the hall, you can step out onto a large public balcony, enjoy your drink, and get a nighttime view of Van Ness Avenue.

In 2024, they plan to perform Casino Royale and Encanto. I don’t know what they will do to replace the sung musical numbers in Encanto, it would be great if they had live singers join them. I’d love to see that.

Film series shows employ different guest conductors for each show, sometimes even bringing in the composer of the music they are performing, as they did in 2022 with maestro Don Davis for The Matrix.

Tickets to the San Francisco Symphony’s Live Film series can be purchased well in advance online.

Your writer looking moodily across the city. (Paolo Bicchieri)