Heard on the screen

The theme of the Laguna Beach Live! and Philharmonic Society of Orange County’s eighth annual Laguna Beach Music Festival is the marriage of film and music.

Directed by award-winning filmmaker and composer Paul Chihara, the Jan. 18-to-24 event will feature works by composers inspired by both screen and concert hall as well as live performances based on music created for the silver screen.

Sandy Robertson, a marketing representative for the festival, said Chihara’s selection of “adventurous” guest performers makes for a rich composite of film and concert music.

“They are willing to take risks and try new things [compositionally],” she said. “This really sets them apart from other contemporary musicians.”

Featured artists include Laguna’s Greg MacGillivray, the Claremont (piano) Trio, violinist Maria Bachmann, flutist Claire Chase, pianist John Klibonoff and composer Donald Crockett, who will explore music by Toru Takemitsu, Erich Korngold, John Corigliano and Chihara himself.

Works by film composers John Williams, James Newton Howard (“Pretty Woman,” “Blood Diamond”) and Bruce Broughton (“Silverado,” “Young Sherlock Holmes”) will also be featured.

Furthering united film and music, the festival has commissioned new scores from Pamela Madsen, Sharon Farber and Chihara for MacGillivray’s Academy Award-nominated documentary “The Living Sea,” a new 13-minute film to be shown at each of the festival’s concerts.

The short film highlights the 40-minute motion picture, which celebrates the beauty, diversity and importance of the ocean.

In addition to the concert lineup, the event will also include panel discussions, receptions, meet-the-artist events and lectures, including open rehearsals around town and a Wine, Dine and Music event at Claes Restaurant.

For a full list of events, or to buy tickets, call (949) 553-4422 or visit www.philharmonicsociety.org. Ticket prices vary by event.

More details about the artists and performances can also be found at www.lagunabeachlive.org.

Concert Schedule

Concerts at the Artists Theatre, 625 Park Ave., are:

?From Vienna and Paris to Hollywood, 8 p.m. Jan. 21;

?From Russia and Japan to the Silver Screen, 8 p.m. Jan. 23; and

?Survival and Triumph: Welcome to the Brave New World, 3 p.m. Jan. 24.

For more information and tickets, visit www.lagunabeachlive.org or call (949) 553.2422 or (949) 497-2787.