-
Message Boards
Movie Soundtracks
John Williams at the Hollywood Bowl
Archive of old forum. No more postings.
Please visit our new forum, The MovieMusic Lobby, to post new topics.
Author
Topic: John Williams at the Hollywood Bowl
Scott
Standard Userer
Simply amazing.
Got his autograph and pictures taking with him after the rehearsals.
A great show, and great lessons.
More details tomorrow.Scott
[Message edited by Scott on 08-30-2008]
posted 08-30-2008 02:38 AM PT (US) Scott
Standard Userer
Well, I was going to give a detailed report on the whole event. But it seems not many are interested these days and I guess, since this is a yearly event, it has become old news for some.
So, suffice it to say that it was awesome and if you haven't gone and if you get the chance, you ought to. I promise, you won't regret it.Scott
posted 08-31-2008 02:35 AM PT (US) sean
Standard Userer
You waited a day. Come on! I would have welcomed a description, given that I'll probably never be able to attend one of these, location-speaking.
posted 08-31-2008 03:53 AM PT (US) Maestro Sartori
Standard Userer
Well, I can give one, and this was my first time to one of his concerts.I wish I'd been able to get an autograph, as well.
John opened with the National Anthem, played gloriously, and then segued immediately into three Olympics pieces: Bugler's Dream/Olympic Fanfare and Theme; A Song for World Peace; and Olympic Spirit, accompanied by clips from Olympic Games from Athens and backward (nothing from Beijing).
Then, he brought out new and old favorites:
Excerpts from Close Encounters of the Third Kind (with re-edited films clips)
"Flight to Neverland" from Hook
Three PIeces from Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull:
-The Adventures of Mutt
-Irina's Theme (with film clips from dozens of old movies...the theme? - Smoky, myterious and dangerous women of cinema)
-The Raider's March (with Indy scenes throughout)Intermission
"Hooray for Hollywood"
A Tribute to the Films of Stanley Donen
-"You're all the World to Me" from Royal Wedding (with film)
-"Bless Your Beautiful Hide" from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
-"I Like Myself" from It's Always Fair Weather
-"The Worry Song" from Anchors Aweigh
-"Singin' in the Rain" from Singin' in the RainTheme from Sabrina
A Tribute to George Lucas and Steven Spielberg
-Jaws - Star Wars - Raiders of the Lost Ark - E.T. the ExtraterrestrialTHREE ENCORES
Imperial March
Marion's Theme
Theme from Superman
It was an awesome experience, and I WILL detail my experience later after work.
JC
posted 08-31-2008 07:55 AM PT (US) Scott
Standard Userer
Hahaha...all right, I'll add mine in a few hours.
posted 09-01-2008 03:58 AM PT (US) Scott
Standard Userer
Traditions, traditions.
Attending the John Williams concerts at the Hollywood bowl is truly a tradition for me and my family and once again, 2008 added another concert to the long list. And as usual, we attended the Friday concert and went early in the morning in order to sit in on the rehearsals which started at 9:30 a. m. It’s one thing to watch the concert in the evening, but it’s an entire different experience to witness Williams’ interactions with the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s. The mutual appreciation between these two icons is both touching and inspiring.
Usually, Williams does not rehearse the music in sequence as it is presented in the concert, but this time he did. Both Olympic Fanfare and Theme and The Olympic Spirit went by without any problems. It was quite apparent with The Olympic Spirit that there would be screenings for one could clearly see Williams’ attention to the small monitor in front of him. How exact his conducting would be to the film is amazing. Kudos goes to the person who actually combined the many images to Williams’ second Olympic theme. Both the images and the music were so much in sync it was amazing.
Song for World Peace was next. At this point my friend got upset because he fell in love with that piece and was not familiar with it prior. At this point I should point out that it is always great to sit together with friends and family during such an occasion. This time we were four all together and it was fun to guess as soon as possible what song was being rehearsed, since no one had a program yet.
Excerpts from close Encounters of the Third Kind was next followed by Flight to Neverland from Hook.
Next was The Adventures of Mutt, which seemed a little shorter than on the album (but I could be mistaken.) Since many have complained about this score it was satisfying to see the reaction of Andrew (my friend) and my nephew and his wife upon hearing this piece. My nephew hated the film but had nothing negative to say about the score while Andrew tried scolding me for not having shared this score with him. I told him to buy it. He did. Now The Adventures of Mutt required several repeats as did both Irina’s Theme and the Raiders March, but this was in order to iron out some syncing with the accompanied film.
Next was Hooray for Hollywood, which the orchestra had the hardest time with. Williams noted that almost every measure had a change in it. Then a break.
After the break Stanley Donen showed up, made sure that the microphone was on and stood next to Williams as he went through You’re All the World To Me Bless Your Beautiful Hide, I like Myself, The Worry Song, and Singin’ In The Rain. I honestly did not know who Donen was, I am ashamed to admit. I actually thought he would maybe narrate some parts of the program but all we could see was Williams going over the songs with the orchestra a few times, then talking to Donen. So, for anyone seeing the concert it might be interesting to note that the conversation between Donen and Williams was not scripted or rehearsed. Their conversation must have been on the line of what they would be discussing during the actual concert, but this could have also been done after the rehearsals since it took Donen a while to leave.
As usual Williams took out some time to autograph some pictures, CD covers and what have you. We were able to get a picture signed that we took with Williams almost ten years ago at the Hollywood Bowl. Once again, we were amazed at Williams’ courteous and gentle demeanor. He is truly a gentleman in every sense of the word.
Well, since Maestro Sartori will be giving an account of the concert itself, I will limit myself to the rehearsal part. Suffice it to say, while some insist that seeing a Williams at the Bowl concert might become redundant and repetitive, I was, once again, thoroughly exhilarated, and so where my friends and family. In fact, one reason my nephew came along this time was because he wanted to see Williams at least one more time, thinking that he, Williams, might retire soon. Upon seeing Williams and his energetic conducting he noted, “Scott, I don’t think Williams is going to retire any time soon in this condition. Jeez, I’ll be glad if I am in such good shape when I’m 76.” Amen to that.
On a last note, I should mention that both Sabrina and USC Tribute (John Williams title for the Tribut to George Lucan and Steven Spielberg) were practiced before the Donen material; so I lied above.
And on another note, I should mention that the only ancore rehearsed was Marion's Theme. The other ancores were not rehearsed at all, but I should mention that the Los Angeles Philarmonic's besides having played Superman and Vader's March many, many times, is world renowned for being one of the best orchestras in sight playing.
I think I'm done now.
Maestro Sartori, you're on!
NP: Song For World Peace[Message edited by Scott on 09-01-2008]
posted 09-01-2008 08:51 AM PT (US) Old Infopop Software by UBB