Intimate Harper College concert to highlight the music of film noir

For decades, Peter Aglinskas has been drawn to the dark side of cinema. As a Harper College adjunct music appreciation instructor and film scholar, he is combining two of his artistic passions with Nightfall: A Concert of Film Noir Music, 7 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at Harper, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine.

Peter, who sings and plays guitar, will be joined by his wife Linda Veleckis Aglinskas (violin, viola and vocals) and friend John Devlin (accordion and vocals) for the concert, which will celebrate the music heard in such film noir classics as 1958’s Touch of Evil and 1955’s Kiss Me Deadly. Tickets are $15, available through the Harper Box Office at 847.925.6100. The performance will take place in the cabaret-like confines of the Harper College Dining Room, Building A, Room A238.

“Film noir refers to a group of black-and-white crime films and the narratives often take place in bars and nightclubs,” Peter said. “And because of this, there is music that naturally occurs throughout all of these films. We’re trying to recreate that sort of setting for this concert.”

The performance will trace the way the music of film noir evolved between 1940 and 1960, moving from symphonic scores to jazz-influenced compositions. The trio is excited to play pieces that underscore key movie moments as well as songs that are prominently featured in films, such as Nat King Cole’s “I’d Rather Have the Blues Than What I’ve Got” from Peter’s personal favorite example of the genre, Kiss Me Deadly.

His enthusiasm for hardboiled anti-heroes, femmes fatales and the music that helps tell their stories is palpable.

“I have been playing for 50 years,” Peter said, “and this is one of the most amazing events that I’ve ever been part of.”

Also, please note that construction on Harper’s campus is currently blocking some paths to Building A. Please follow signage to Building A and view Harper College’s interactive map.