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National Symphony Orchestra

Notes & Frames: A Film & Music Festival

James Gaffigan conducts John Williams, James Newton Howard & Michael Abels

Concert Hall

NSO favorite James Gaffigan conducts film music by classical composers—including Leonard Bernstein’s On the Waterfront and Nino Rota’s The Godfather—in a program that spotlights concertos by three of today's greatest film composers. On Thursday, Grammy winner James Ehnes plays Violin Concerto No. 2 by James Newton Howard. Friday’s concert features Delights and Dances by Michael Abels. Abel Pereira takes center stage Saturday in the Horn Concerto by Academy Award–winning legend John Williams.

Jun. 12 - 14, 2025

  • Thu. Jun. 12, 2025 7p.m.

  • Fri. Jun. 13, 2025 8p.m.

  • Sat. Jun. 14, 2025 8p.m.

  • Genre

    Classical Music

Program

James Gaffigan, conductor
James Ehnes, violin (Thu. performance)
Abel Pereira, hornΩ (Sat. performance)

NSO favorite James Gaffigan conducts film music by classical composers—including Leonard Bernstein’s On the Waterfront and Nino Rota’s The Godfather—in a program that spotlights concertos by three of today's greatest film composers.

On Thursday, Grammy® winner James Ehnes plays Violin Concerto No. 2 by James Newton Howard (The Hunger Games series, Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, M. Night Shyamalan films, The Fugitive, Pretty Woman).

Friday’s concert features Delights and Dances by Michael Abels (Jordan Peele’s Get Out, Nope, Us; Bad Education).

Abel Pereira takes center stage Saturday in the Horn Concerto by Academy Award®–winning legend John Williams (Star Wars, Jaws, Harry Potter, to name a few).

Part of Notes & Frames: A Film & Music Festival
The silver screen comes alive with a symphonic twist as the NSO performs beloved movie scores, new masterpieces, and more live-to-picture concerts. Join us this summer for a three-week celebration of timeless films and the music that continues to define cinematic history.

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More Film Music Festival

National Symphony Orchestra

Notes & Frames: Amadeus Full Film with Live Orchestra

Wed. Jun. 4, 2025

Experience the opulent period epic as the NSO performs the score live-to-picture! Winner of eight Academy Awards including Best Picture, Amadeus tells the story of vindictive composer Antonio Salieri (F. Murray Abraham), who is consumed by jealousy for his rival—the petulant genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Tom Hulce).

National Symphony Orchestra

Notes & Frames: Classic Film Scores

Jun. 6 - 7, 2025

Join us for an evening filled with wonder and nostalgia as the NSO brings to life timeless melodies that have underscored some of the greatest moments in cinematic history. This classic program—led by Musical America’s 2022 Conductor of the Year Teddy Abrams—features music by Max Steiner, Franz Waxman, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Bernard Herrmann, Alfred Newman, and others.

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Notes & Frames: Metropolis Full Film with Organ

Sun. Jun. 8, 2025

Surreal, sprawling, and operatic, Fritz Lang’s 1927 science-fiction silent film depicts a world in which the privileged live in luxury on the surface, while deep in the bowels of the city an unseen underclass labors on machinery that supports the Metropolis. Grammy–nominated organist Cameron Carpenter performs his original score perfectly suited to the industrial, stylistic backdrop of this deeply influential pulp masterpiece. Please note: the NSO does not perform on this program.

National Symphony Orchestra

Notes & Frames: James Gaffigan conducts John Williams, James Newton Howard & Michael Abels

Jun. 12 - 14, 2025

NSO favorite James Gaffigan conducts film music by classical composers—including Leonard Bernstein’s On the Waterfront and Nino Rota’s The Godfather—in a program that spotlights concertos by three of today's greatest film composers. On Thursday, Grammy winner James Ehnes plays Violin Concerto No. 2 by James Newton Howard. Friday’s concert features Delights and Dances by Michael Abels. Abel Pereira takes center stage Saturday in the Horn Concerto by Academy Award–winning legend John Williams.

National Symphony Orchestra

Notes & Frames: Kris Bowers curates

Jun. 20 - 21, 2025

Academy Award–winning director, composer, and pianist Kris Bowers (Bridgerton, King Richard, The Color Purple) curates and performs in a program of contemporary film music led by American conductor Anthony Parnther.

Season Sponsors

The Amici di Gianandrea, The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, Truist, D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities

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Help build a rich legacy on the values of artistic excellence, engagement with a broad community, and a thriving future for the art form of classical music and its audiences.

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All events and artists subject to change without prior notice.

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Join us for Sound Health Fridays at The REACH for activities prior to 11:30 a.m. NSO coffee concerts. Arrive at 9:30 a.m. and purchase coffee at the Hyannis Port Coffee Bar, and wander the REACH. At 10 a.m., participate in a Morning Sing, attend a health-inspired talk and performance, or join a wellness-inspired workshop.

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Jan. 18 - 19, 2025

The whole farmyard is getting ready for a hoedown—but it needs your help! Presented in collaboration with Teller Productions and developed specifically for toddlers, this immersive show features puppets, a storyteller, and a string quartet from the National Symphony Orchestra.

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