Sunday Showcase

Music Makes a City
Directed by Owsley Brown III and Jerome Hiler

Sunday, February 20, 12:30 pm CINEMA+

Free

“In striking synchronicity, a mayor, a conductor, and a robust postwar generation of composers intersected to make the city a hub for visionary composition . . . . Viewers will find themselves agreeably challenged. And stirred.”—Andy Webster, The New York Times

Can a symphony orchestra help save a city? In the late 1940s, the Louisville Orchestra was about to go out of bankrupt. At that point, charismatic new mayor Charles Farnsley stepped into office whose views about civic vitality were founded on the ideas of the Chinese sage Confucius. His vision of prosperity was focused on making the arts available to every citizen of the city. Music Makes a City tells the rousing, inspiring, nearly unbelievable story of an American city and an orchestra that would not only transform Louisville—it would also make a lasting contribution to music unmatched by any orchestra in the world.

The Louisville Orchestra performed and recorded new works on First Edition, their pioneering record label. Under the direction of Robert Whitney and his successors, principally Jorge Mester, the orchestra recorded hundreds of commissions and world premieres. No other orchestra can match this contribution to contemporary musical culture. 2009, U.S., DCP, 100 minutes. Recommended for 12+. Co-presented with the Louisville Orchestra.

CINEMA+ Followed by a post-screening conversation with Louisville Orchestra’s Interim Executive Director Graham Parker and the film’s Co-director Owsley Brown III via Zoom. Louisville Orchestra’s Music Director Teddy Abrams unfortunately cannot participate in today’s program as previously announced.

Sunday Showcase screenings are presented FREE and no reservation is required. Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test within 72 hours required to attend the event. Masks will also be mandatory.  For your comfort, we are reducing our capacity to 60%.