Shiver me timbers: the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Chorus set sail with 'Pirates of the Caribbean' once again.

Who: The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Richard Kaufman
What: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Where: Powell Symphony Hall, St. Louis
When: September 19-21, 2014

If you're a fan of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” films, this weekend's showing of the second film in the series on the giant screen at Powell Hall with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Chorus performing the score live should be at the top of your "Things to Do" list.

But even if (like me) you can take or leave these action-and-effects-heavy blockbusters, there's still much to be said for hearing Hans Zimmer's score performed live. No matter how good the audio system is at your local multiplex, there's just nothing quite like the sound of a live orchestra and chorus. That's especially true for a "big band" score like this one, with its massive percussion battery and expanded brass and wind sections.

The low end of the orchestra, in particular, is beefed up with instruments rarely seen on the Powell Hall stage, such as the six-foot-tall contrabass saxophone and what I'm pretty sure was a contrabass trombone. They add a darker texture that's a nice match to a story in which the supernatural plays such an important part.

Indeed, Zimmer—who is very much in demand as a film composer and has many high-profile projects in his resume—has filled the score with interesting touches that add a contemporary edge to its generally post-Wagnerian harmonic vocabulary. That makes it challenging to perform in its own way, I think, so much praise is owed to the orchestra and Amy Kaiser's chorus for pulling it all off so brilliantly.

Hans Zimmer
en.wikipedia.org

Ditto conductor Richard Kaufman. Conducting forces this large in synch with a live film, as I have observed in the past, is a specialized skill, and Mr. Kaufman, the Principal Pops Conductor of the Pacific Symphony, is one of its more experienced practitioners. Gigs like this one, in fact, appear to be a central part of his career.

Yes, the movie itself is just so much visual junk food, with a story line that is mostly an excuse for elaborate (and very clever) action sequences, along with some spectacularly grotesque makeup effects for the undead crew of "The Flying Dutchman." Unless you're completely averse to this series, though, I think you'll find it all great fun. Be aware, though, that (as is often the case with these cinema blockbusters) the balance between the voice tracks on the film and the live orchestra in Powell Hall is not always ideal. It's easy to lose dialog, especially when the orchestra is playing at full volume.

That dialog is not, on the other hand, Great Art. So if you know the story you should be fine.

As is always the case with the symphony's movie events, popcorn and other snacks are available, as well as the usual drinks (including a special blue concoction created for the event, the "Dead Man's Chest"), and you can bring everything in to the hall with you. So when you go, try to be neat and police your area when you leave.

Next on the regular season calendar: David Robertson conducts the orchestra and oboe soloist Cally Banham in Sibelius's "Swan of Tuonela," along with John Adams's "My Father Knew Charles Ives," and Prokofiev's "Symphony No. 5." Performances are Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m., September 27 and 28. As usual, the Saturday concert will be simulcast on St. Louis Public Radio KWMU at 90.7 FM and HD 1. For ticket information: stlsymphony.org.