September 2, 2006
[...and the music of film] 8:53 AM
* not my photo
When Lucia asked if we wanted to go see John Williams conduct the LA Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl for a film score retrospective, there was a lot of thinking to be done. I mean, it was on a pleasant friday night, it would cost only $18, you could bring a picnic, and he would be focusing on his own work as well as Bernard Herrmann...
Hmm.
Choices.
Choices.
Choices.
We took the subway up (screw you, stacked parking), had dinner before the sun set, and then were whisked away by John Williams. Highlights include:
- Selections from Now Voyager were played, which was simply amazing music. A delight to sit back and let the strings do their work.
- A montage of Hitchock/Herrmann films was played on the screen with the orchestra scoring it live. I believe this is the best possible way to condense Psycho into 3 minutes. The love theme to Vertigo was played on its own, and will probably stand on its own for years to come.
- After the first intermission, we got down to business. "Flight to Neverland" from Hook (my favorite Williams score) was followed by the theme from Jurassic Park (chills and thunderous applause). "Can You Read My Mind?" and the Main Fanfare from Donner's Superman weren't far behind, and nostalgia kicked into high gear as the Bowl became striped in red and blue.
- The bring-tears-to-your-eyes portion was next, which had a video montage of Spielberg and Lucas films. I can't express to you how creepy the music from Jaws sounds live, followed by the Star Wars opening title crawl.
- I counted, there were 32 lightsabers in the audience, all if which were ignited as the Rebel Cruiser was chased by a Star Destroyer.
- The E.T. montage made me cry. It made the girls behind me cry. And then boy leaned over and said "I'll. be. right. here." Just go ahead and cut out my heart, that way you can squeeze it easier.
- Indiana Jones capped off the montage. No one brought whips.
- The lightsabers reignited for the "Impirial March" and "Yoda's Theme." John knows who's paid for his houses. How do you follow that?
- You follow that with a selection from Memoirs of a Geisha and Harry Potter (and not even "Hedwig's theme"!). Personally I think both these scores are more noise than melody, but how can you be cranky after watching Dance of the Lightsabers?
- I couldn't figure out what the encore would be, since he'd played almost every suite or theme he's truely famous for. He broke out a rarity called "The Mission." Its about 5 minutes long, and never played in full, but with the opening bars you know it. Its the NBC Nightly News theme. Its damn catchy, and so optimistic it makes you want a happier world that much more. As he said, "They said if they ever had a slow news day you would hear the full open. Sadly, there hasn't been a slow news day in 25 years."
I'd pay $75 and wear a suit and tie for an expierence like that, instead I paid $18, wore a t-shirt, had a hot dog and some beer.
Can't beat that for a friday night.
