A winner of three Academy Awards and countless other honours, The Godfather is widely regarded as one of the greatest films in cinematic history. This June, audiences in Kuala Lumpur will have the rare opportunity to experience Francis Ford Coppola’s legendary film in an entirely new way — through The Godfather Live.
The classic film will be screened at Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS with Nino Rota’s iconic score performed live by the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO), under the baton of resident conductor Gerard Salonga. Making its debut at the DFP on Saturday, 14 June 2025 at 8pm, this special event brings the film to life with a powerful live performance of Rota’s unforgettable music — infused with traditional Italian folk elements and jazz — while the movie is simultaneously projected in high definition on the big screen.
Salonga, a fan of The Godfather since childhood, is particularly excited to lead the performance. “I actually had the original novel in the house when I was growing up,” he shares. “So, my introduction to the story was literally through the book first before the film.”
Taking The Podium
When it comes to conducting film concerts, Salonga approaches them with the same dedication as any classical or operatic repertoire. “These film concerts are just one angle of what we present to the audience,” he says. “For all of these performances, I learn the music and the film. I have to understand what the score is really for — the characters, the storyline, the emotional arcs.”
Salonga is no stranger to this unique format. He first conducted the MPO’s Ratatouille in concert in 2016 as a guest conductor. Three years later, he led the concert film, Raiders of the Lost Ark as Resident Conductor and most recently, La La Land in May 2025.
For him, music in film serves as the “unseen actor,” shaping the emotional response and atmosphere in subtle yet powerful ways. “That’s the job of the music — to push the audience over the edge emotionally.”
Signature Score
Reflecting on Rota’s score, Salonga highlights the festive wedding band-like music that opens the film as a personal favourite, praising its richness and authenticity. He also expresses admiration for the composer’s use of the trumpet solo as a haunting signature theme: “What appeals to me most about the great composers is their ability to take just a few notes — sometimes even two — and create a villain.”
He also points to the prominent role of the French horn, typically associated with nobility, used in the film to underscore the film’s darker themes. “The Godfather is a sombre story about relationships, abuse, and power — things that still resonate with audiences today,” Salonga explains. “It’s amazing because the film is over 50 years old, yet its impact remains. It inspired a whole genre of gangster films, from Goodfellas to Casino.”
Gateway To Music
Salonga believes events like The Godfather Live offer more than just entertainment — they can also serve as a gateway to other musical forms. “Some musicians in the London Symphony Orchestra started playing because they heard Star Wars as kids. Film can be a powerful spark.”
He adds that in many ways, concert films like this are a return to cinema’s roots. “At the beginning of film history, movies were often accompanied by live music — an organist or a band performing as the footage played. So really, we’re going back to basics.”
The Godfather Live with Nino Rota’s iconic score performed live by the MPO takes place on 14 June 2025. Concert and ticket details here.
