Post by Brie on Aug 30, 2005 8:36:32 GMT -6
As many of you know, I'm a BIG fan of John Williams and his work. Last Saturday night my daughter and I had the opportunity to see him conducting the Boston Pops. I've seen him before (including once earlier this summer) but Film Night is just an extrodinary experience. I thought I'd share the review from my parents' local paper with you. I'm not a Josh Groban fan, in fact I'd rather they cut him out of the program and include more Star Wars or Harry Potter, but overall it was an almost perfect night.
**
Pops Film Night pleases record crowd
By Clarence Fanto, Special to The [Berkshire] Eagle
Monday, August 29, 2005
LENOX — Few artists get the kind of ear-splitting, conquering-hero welcome accorded to John Williams at Tanglewood on Saturday evening.
With more than 100 film scores to his credit during his half-century career in Hollywood, Williams commands deep admiration. At 73, he shows no signs of slowing down. On the contrary, he has scores in the pipeline for longtime collaborator Steven Spielberg's "Munich," as well as "Superman Returns," another Harry Potter film and "Indiana Jones 4."
Another big draw is 24-year-old pop superstar Josh Groban, he of the curly locks, boyish good looks and crooning baritone that send his fans into over-the-top outbursts of frenzied adoration.
Add the Boston Pops at its best and reinvite Stanley Donen, one
of the all-time-great Hollywood film directors — still spry and witty at the age of 81. Put it all together into the annual Film Night that has become Tanglewood's biggest attraction besides James Taylor.
The result was the biggest crowd of the summer, 19,811 according to the box office, and one of the top half-dozen or so in the music festival's storied 69-year history.
Williams is not only a wizard as a film composer but is uncanny when it comes to putting together a concert program designed to demonstrate the unique art of scoring motion pictures. Modern technology helps, with screens strategically placed inside and outside the Shed.
Following the 20th Century Fox Fanfare by Alfred Newman and Erich Korngold's march from his 1938 Academy Award-winning score for "The Adventures of Robin Hood," Williams saluted three composers who died during the past year: Jerry Goldsmith ("Star Trek"), David Raksin (the haunting "Laura") and Elmer Bernstein ("The Magnificent Seven"). The Boston Pops performed with commitment, virtuosity and polish, and concertmaster Tamara Smirnova earned the first of several ovations during the evening for her sultry solo turn in "Laura."
Donen, a former choreographer on Broadway, directed a series of legendary film musicals for MGM in its heyday. As he did on Film Night two summers ago, he appeared as a charming raconteur, sitting with Williams on stage and trading anecdotes and quips about the ground-breaking technology involved in the making of classic scenes from "Royal Wedding" (Fred Astaire, dancing on the ceiling), "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers," "It's Always Fair Weather" (Gene Kelly, dancing on roller-skates), the "Worry Song" from "Anchors Aweigh" (Kelly dancing with MGM's "Jerry Mouse" because Walt Disney wouldn't let Mickey work for MGM) and Kelly again (getting drenched and loving it in "Singin' in the Rain").
Donen was once again awestruck at Williams' ability to sync the live orchestra to the action on screen.
Much credit goes to the players, of course. The director remarked that he had never heard these scores played so magnificently.
Donen also recounted his first meeting with Williams, 52 years ago, when, as Johnny Williams, he was the pianist on the soundtrack of "Funny Face." Both have come a long way.
Josh Groban played to the audience during his six-song set, acknowledging the presence of his Grobanites as they screamed and waved their multihued light sticks. He was at his best in Charlie Chaplin's "Smile" and in the title track of "An Affair to Remember," cleverly performed to montage-style film clips of many of the greatest romantic moments in Hollywood history.
He performed "Remember" from the film "Troy," and songs from "Cinema Paradiso" and "Il Postino."
Perhaps Groban's massive popularity defies critical analysis. But he displayed vocal strain (hoarseness) in his upper register, perhaps because of a performance schedule he described as 185 dates a year, and there were several strikingly off-pitch moments. To these ears, his emotional range was constricted. A very pleasant voice, to be sure, and a refreshing choice of repertory.
Williams offered a sampler of his own greatest hits, including "Superman," "Home Alone," "Jurassic Park," "Close En-counters ..." and "ET" as an encore. His is a popular art form never to be taken for granted.
Bottom line: Another great Film Night, and here's hoping Williams will be able to favor us with many more in the years to come.
**
Pops Film Night pleases record crowd
By Clarence Fanto, Special to The [Berkshire] Eagle
Monday, August 29, 2005
LENOX — Few artists get the kind of ear-splitting, conquering-hero welcome accorded to John Williams at Tanglewood on Saturday evening.
With more than 100 film scores to his credit during his half-century career in Hollywood, Williams commands deep admiration. At 73, he shows no signs of slowing down. On the contrary, he has scores in the pipeline for longtime collaborator Steven Spielberg's "Munich," as well as "Superman Returns," another Harry Potter film and "Indiana Jones 4."
Another big draw is 24-year-old pop superstar Josh Groban, he of the curly locks, boyish good looks and crooning baritone that send his fans into over-the-top outbursts of frenzied adoration.
Add the Boston Pops at its best and reinvite Stanley Donen, one
of the all-time-great Hollywood film directors — still spry and witty at the age of 81. Put it all together into the annual Film Night that has become Tanglewood's biggest attraction besides James Taylor.
The result was the biggest crowd of the summer, 19,811 according to the box office, and one of the top half-dozen or so in the music festival's storied 69-year history.
Williams is not only a wizard as a film composer but is uncanny when it comes to putting together a concert program designed to demonstrate the unique art of scoring motion pictures. Modern technology helps, with screens strategically placed inside and outside the Shed.
Following the 20th Century Fox Fanfare by Alfred Newman and Erich Korngold's march from his 1938 Academy Award-winning score for "The Adventures of Robin Hood," Williams saluted three composers who died during the past year: Jerry Goldsmith ("Star Trek"), David Raksin (the haunting "Laura") and Elmer Bernstein ("The Magnificent Seven"). The Boston Pops performed with commitment, virtuosity and polish, and concertmaster Tamara Smirnova earned the first of several ovations during the evening for her sultry solo turn in "Laura."
Donen, a former choreographer on Broadway, directed a series of legendary film musicals for MGM in its heyday. As he did on Film Night two summers ago, he appeared as a charming raconteur, sitting with Williams on stage and trading anecdotes and quips about the ground-breaking technology involved in the making of classic scenes from "Royal Wedding" (Fred Astaire, dancing on the ceiling), "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers," "It's Always Fair Weather" (Gene Kelly, dancing on roller-skates), the "Worry Song" from "Anchors Aweigh" (Kelly dancing with MGM's "Jerry Mouse" because Walt Disney wouldn't let Mickey work for MGM) and Kelly again (getting drenched and loving it in "Singin' in the Rain").
Donen was once again awestruck at Williams' ability to sync the live orchestra to the action on screen.
Much credit goes to the players, of course. The director remarked that he had never heard these scores played so magnificently.
Donen also recounted his first meeting with Williams, 52 years ago, when, as Johnny Williams, he was the pianist on the soundtrack of "Funny Face." Both have come a long way.
Josh Groban played to the audience during his six-song set, acknowledging the presence of his Grobanites as they screamed and waved their multihued light sticks. He was at his best in Charlie Chaplin's "Smile" and in the title track of "An Affair to Remember," cleverly performed to montage-style film clips of many of the greatest romantic moments in Hollywood history.
He performed "Remember" from the film "Troy," and songs from "Cinema Paradiso" and "Il Postino."
Perhaps Groban's massive popularity defies critical analysis. But he displayed vocal strain (hoarseness) in his upper register, perhaps because of a performance schedule he described as 185 dates a year, and there were several strikingly off-pitch moments. To these ears, his emotional range was constricted. A very pleasant voice, to be sure, and a refreshing choice of repertory.
Williams offered a sampler of his own greatest hits, including "Superman," "Home Alone," "Jurassic Park," "Close En-counters ..." and "ET" as an encore. His is a popular art form never to be taken for granted.
Bottom line: Another great Film Night, and here's hoping Williams will be able to favor us with many more in the years to come.