The Arts at Ascension concert series came to a cinematic close with a virtuoso performance of movie themes by the series’ director, pianist Charles Szczepanek.

The concert was bookended by music from the two great sci-fi franchises of our time, Star Wars and Star Trek, the latter arranged by Szczepanek. In between, he treated the sold-out audience at Church of the Ascension with tastes of Indiana Jones, Titanic and Debussy’s “Clair de Lune” (used in more than 200 movies and TV shows, including Giant, Oceans 11 and Twilight).

Szczepanek particularly enchanted with a medley combining Willy Wonka’s “Pure Imagination” with Oz’s “Over the Rainbow,” the two songs intertwining in the middle section. This was not the sheet music you’ll find on the shelf at Milano’s. Szczepanek and the other two arrangers whose work he played create virtuosic pieces.

The personable pianist demonstrated how, for instance, his left hand captured the low strings, his right hand the melody and both hands shared the trombone part in “Raider’s March” from Indiana Jones. It takes a talented pianist to perform this music, yet Szczepanek made it look easy. That’s what artists do.

But it wasn’t just the music that made this concert enjoyable. Szczepanek took time between each number to visit with the audience, giving insight on the music and how it came to be. The famous love theme from Titanic, for instance, was intended to be a piano solo (which Szczepanek played) and only became a giant hit for Celine Dion by happenstance.

Entertainment and education. In Szczepanek’s skilled hands, it made for an excellent concert.