“Background Sounds for Big Screen Action,” is the exciting title for a spectacular Sierra Vista Symphony Orchestra pops concert which promises to deliver even more. The orchestra, augmented by the highly esteemed 36th Army Band, is out to bedazzle the county with its rich offerings of movie music and a whole segment dedicated to contemporary composer John Williams....including a spine-tingling patriotic surprise with a string of soloists: “America, The Dream Goes On!”
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“This concert is a fantastic opportunity to listen to music that will start the movie projector/VHS/DVD between your ears to play on the screen of your mind,” comments Sierra Vista Symphony Association president Ronald McCreery. “Prince John and Sir Guy of Gisborne are safe because we weren’t able to get the score from ‘The Adventures of Robin Hood,’” he admits, “but many other scores will tease your memory for a thoroughly enjoyable evening.”
Under the sub-theme, “Of Heroes and Villains,” Conductor Bayes is to lead the orchestra in the effervescent background works of films such as “A Bridge Too Far,” “Chariots of Fire,” “Ben Hur,” “The Entertainer,” “Wizard of Oz,” “Lord of the Rings,” “Dances with Wolves,” and other memorable cinematic box office hits.
“Background film scores account for a large measure of popular orchestral composition today,” explains Dr. Lloyd DuVall, a member of the SVSA board of directors. “Intended to support the film’s visual action with sounds to enhance the scenes and thereby involve as many of the senses as possible, such works draw together more dimensions than merely sound.” Recalling the silent film days, DuVall reminds us that long before soundtracks were invented, the “flicks” of the twenties were often accompanied by piano, organ or even orchestra to add the sublime nuances music provides.
Movies have often made composers enormously famous and in-demand with commissions for additional scores in addition to conducting opportunities. Their film scores are performed by a vast array of musical groups across the globe today, as well as sold separately as recordings. Some of America’s most famous old time film scorers are well-known names yet, beloved by their undying film tracks. Names like Ernest Gold, Dimitri Tiomkin, Victor Young, Alfred Newman, Franz Waxman, Max Steiner and Erich Wolfgang Korngold come to mind.
Newer films often introduce totally new composers to worldwide audiences and provide an opportunity for them to display their gifts. Howard Shore is the composer of the soundtrack music for “Eastern Promises,” which currently is being screened, and Michael Kamen wrote the music for “X-Men,” another recent film. Both composers have works being performed by the symphony in this concert.
In the concert’s second portion, John Williams’ exuberant compositions are spotlighted, including “Hymn to the Fallen” from “Saving Private Ryan,” and a medley arranged by Aaron Graff entitled “The Epic Adventures,” that melds scores from “Star Wars,” “Jurassic Park,” and “Harry Potter.” CW4 Graff is the highly respected conductor of the 36th Army Band.
“Of course, “we’re only barely scratching the surface with our foray into the so-called ‘epics,’” observes Bayes. “One of the characteristics of John Williams’ writing is his reliance on winds, particularly brass. With the combined forces of the orchestra and the Army Band, this should prove to be a very exciting evening.”
Ticket are available at Fry’s, Safeway, Sierra Vista Chamber of Commerce, Dillard’s, and Oscar Yrun Center at $20 per person. Children 14 and under are admitted free with a paying adult. For more information, contact the SVSA office at 458-5189.
Maestro Bayes is one of the featured soloists in “America, The Dream Goes On.” Other soloists are from the 36th Army Band.
In addition to Williams, scores featured include works by venerable film composer Miklós Rózsa, and Elmer Bernstein, along with Scott Joplin and Marvin Hamlisch, as well as Vangelis Papthanassiou, Lalo Schifrin, John Barry, Howard Shore, and the remarkable Harold Arlen.
A number of Academy Award-winning film scorers are included in this performance.
Williams has won 4 times; Barry and Rósza 3 times each; Shore twice, and Vangelis, Hamlisch, Shore, Barry and Bernstein once. Of course, the score for “The Wizard of Oz” also won with composer Herbert Stothart as the recipient of the 1939 Oscar.
The final performance of an absolutely stunning season, Orchestra Manager Dan Howdeshell expects this pops to attract an enthusiastic crowd as all previous pops concerts have . With this program, Howdeshell is convinced the hall will be filled with appreciative concert-goers, who will thrill to the opulent film scores being performed. It’s a great event for young people to bring dates, he says, as well as older couples to hold hands and remember their first encounter with many of the films included.
With Jean and Dave Perry out-of-town, Dr. DuVall is to conduct the pre-concert seminar in a BPAC pod at 6:30 PM. DuVall plans to examine the concert theme and will have 36th Army Band conductor Aaron Graff as his guest. Seats are reserved for those attending this free event.
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