Hedwig's Theme played by a full symphony orchestra thirty feet in front of you is a different experience from hearing it through a laptop speaker, and that is the whole proposition here: the New York Philharmonic performs John Williams's complete score live while the first Harry Potter film plays above the stage at David Geffen Hall. It suits families with school-age children and adults who grew up with the books alike. If you want one holiday-week outing that spans three generations without any
What to expect
The orchestra is on stage beneath a large screen showing the film in full, with the dialogue and effects mixed against live playing, so the music lands with a physical weight the recording never has. Expect a long evening once the interval is counted in, a visibly younger crowd than a normal subscription concert, and applause for the orchestra at the big cues.
Good to know
- The 1 train to 66th Street–Lincoln Center puts you at the plaza; the A, B, C and D at 59th–Columbus Circle are a short walk.
- It is the full-length feature plus an interval, so it runs long for younger children on a school night.
- Weekend afternoon performances are the easier option if you are bringing small kids.
- Costumes are common in the audience and entirely welcome, though the hall is a formal room.
- David Geffen Hall is step-free with accessible seating and assistive listening available on request.
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Common questions
Is the whole film shown, or just clips?
The complete film is screened with its dialogue and sound effects intact. What the orchestra replaces is the recorded score, which is performed live from start to finish.
Is this suitable for children?
Yes, it is one of the Philharmonic's most family-oriented programmes. Bear in mind it runs the length of a feature film plus an interval, so an afternoon performance tends to work better for younger children.
Do I need to know the films to enjoy it?
No. It works as a concert of John Williams's music with the film as accompaniment, so newcomers and long-time fans both get a lot out of it.
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