Zagreb Philharmonic to close Osijek Summer Culture festival with film music concert

The Zagreb Philharmonic is set to close this year's Osijek Summer Culture festival with a captivating concert dedicated to the most celebrated melodies in film history. Scheduled for Saturday, August 30, at 8 PM, the performance promises to bring the magic of the big screen to life through symphonic sound.

Under the baton of conductor Davor Kelić, the orchestra will present a program featuring timeless film themes that have transcended their cinematic origins to become ingrained in collective cultural memory. Audiences can anticipate hearing beloved scores from films such as "Titanic," "Forrest Gump," "The Lord of the Rings," and "Pirates of the Caribbean." The program also includes iconic music from the classic Western "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly," alongside cherished tunes from Disney's "The Little Mermaid" and "Beauty and the Beast."

A special highlight of the evening will be the opening performance of Richard Strauss's "Also sprach Zarathustra." This powerful composition gained global recognition as one of the most famous musical motifs in film history after its prominent use in Stanley Kubrick's groundbreaking science fiction film, "2001: A Space Odyssey." Its majestic fanfare has long symbolized cinematic spectacle and the exploration of the unknown.

The concert will feature two vocal soloists. Renata Sabljak, a renowned Croatian artist celebrated for her interpretations of film and theater music, will guide the audience through the program, sharing insights into the stories behind each composition. Adding a local touch, the performance will also include a young soloist from Osijek, Iskra Rajković, a student from the Franjo Kuhač Music School, connecting the event directly to the host city. The program will also pay tribute to Croatia's cinematic heritage with a medley of classic Croatian films and music from the beloved animated series "Professor Balthazar."