On October 4, 1982, more than 5,000 people filled the sold-out Radio City Music Hall to experience the world premiere of Godfrey Reggio’s film Koyaanisqatsi — the title means “life out of balance” in the Hopi Indian vernacular. Featuring music by Philip Glass the film, which The New York Times called “remarkably seductive,” became a cult classic with its striking take on the state of American civilization through image and sound.

Experience this “entertaining trip” on November 2–3, when the New York Philharmonic performs the score alongside the film with Philip Glass and the Philip Glass Ensemble.

“Koyaanisqatsi, you’re about to get watched.”

Who’s celebrating Philip Glass’s 75th birthday with the composer and his ensemble? The New York Philharmonic and Avery Fisher Hall audiences on November 2–3, when Glass’s iconic score for Godfrey Reggio’s cult classic — and favorite of Otto Mann —  Koyaanisqatsi will be performed alongside the film, featuring Philip Glass and the Philip Glass Ensemble, conductor Michael Riesman, and The Collegiate Chorale, James Bagwell, director.

5 Great Movie Nights in 2011!

The New York Philharmonic goes to the movies in style this fall! In addition to special performances for the 50th Anniversary of West Side Story on September 7 and 8, and A Night at the Movies with Academy Award-winning composer and conductor John Williams on October 25, the Orchestra presents a third program of music and film on November 2 and 3 to celebrate Philip Glass’s 75th birthday year. The two concerts feature LIVE performances of Mr. Glass’s score for Godfrey Reggio’s 1982 cult classic Koyaanisqatsi — the Philharmonic’s first performances of the work — in conjunction with the film. Joining the Orchestra and the composer will be the Philip Glass Ensemble, conductor Michael Riesman conducting (each in their Philharmonic debuts), as well as the Westminster Symphonic Choir.

This week Music Director Alan Gilbert, The Yoko Nagae Ceschina Chair, conducts Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 as part of the New York Philharmonic’s season-long Focus on Mahler. To find out more about the Orchestra’s long history with former music director Gustav Mahler, visit the Philharmonic’s Digital Archives, a treasure trove of programs, business correspondence, and scores. This copy of Mahler’s Fifth Symphony marked by Music Director Laureate Leonard Bernstein features notes such as: “I. Angry, bitter sorrow … with sad comforting lullabies — rocking a corpse” and “III. To hell with it — let’s get drunk — A ball.”