2026-2027 Concerts Series
The Program
John Williams “Suite from Close Encounters of the Third Kind” (maybe with visuals!)
Missy Mazzoli “Sinfonia (for Orbiting Spheres)”
Gustav Holst “The Planets”
The PSO launches its 29th season with a concert that brings the solar system—and all its intense, movie-worthy mystery—to life. Audiences will recognize familiar melodies from timeless favorites like “Star Wars” and “Pinocchio” in Williams’ “Suite from Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” where music becomes the way humans connect with benevolent alien beings. Mazzoli’s “Sinfonia (for Orbiting Spheres)” mirrors the circular nature of planets and their orbits—swirling closer before being flung back out into space at breakneck speed. Epic and moving, the distinctive celestial personas in Holst’s “The Planets,” have made it one of the most influential works in orchestral music. Each movement paints a vivid character of its planet, and its sweeping sound world has inspired generations of film composers from the “Darth Vader” theme in “Star Wars” (notably influenced by “Mars”) to the music of “Gladiator,” and other scores by Hans Zimmer.
What Makes This Concert Special?
- Cosmic theme that brings the mystery and wonder of the universe to life
- In “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”, a simple five-note musical theme is used to communicate with the friendly alien beings. The Suite features this theme, as well some of the film’s most recognizable musical moments.
- The film’s climactic scene is essentially a massive orchestral “conversation”. John Williams even wrote parts of the score before filming was finished, so Steven Spielberg could shape the scenes around the music instead of the other way around.
- Missy Mazzoli is one of the most in-demand composers writing today, and “Sinfonia (for Orbiting Spheres)” shows why. Inspired by the motion of objects in space, the piece uses repeating patterns and layered sounds to create the feeling of things spinning, pulling inward, and then flying back out again. It has a driving, almost physical momentum that pulls you in, making it easy to connect with even if you don’t usually listen to classical music.
- Holst’s “The Planets” is based not on astronomy, but on astrology with each movement reflecting an imagined character of a planet. Mars is forceful and relentless, Venus is calm and peaceful, and Jupiter is joyful and expansive. Written during 1914–1916, the piece has a huge orchestral sound and vivid character writing that makes each section feel like its own musical world. The famous opening of “Mars” even uses an unusual 5-beat rhythm, giving it an unsettled, marching energy that feels cinematic.
What You'll Hear
Take a Closer Look
- The Listener’s Club: A Cinematic Tone Poem
- Dario Marianelli explains John Williams’ impact on Close Encounters
- Steven Spielberg talking about the music of Close Encounters
- Audience members catch a Close Encounters easter egg in Project Hail Mary
- NPR: Interview with Missy Mazzoli
- Missy Mazzoli: Struggle is part of the process
- NASA Scientific Visualization Studio
- NASA: Listening to the universe
- 5 reasons to love The Planets
- Orch Lab: The Planets Listening Guide
- Reddit: The Planets used in other media
The Details
- The concert will last approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes including a 15 minute intermission.
- Join us at 1:45 PM for a pre-concert talk by Music Director John Page.
- We recommend arriving 30 minutes in advance to allow ample time for parking and finding a seat.
- Is this your first time joining us? Welcome! Visit our Before You Arrive page to learn more!
