Symphony at the Movies

This has got to be the bestest concert I've ever attended. Conductor Ramon Gumba's performance is just awesome. Some conductors wave their hands in tune with the music, while others are one step ahead of the orchestra. Conductor Gumba is of the latter school. I used to wonder what's a conductor's role in the orchestra as the musicians already know the pieces and they rarely look at him anyway. In tonight's case, the conductor is forceful and commanding, driving the pace of the music. We also had Clive James are presenter. Before each piece is played, he would stand up and give a short commentary on the piece or the composer - some funny anecdotes or personal experiences. He would then seat down on a designated seat on stage and enjoy the music.

Full programme as follows:

Prelude from Vertigo
Bernard Herrmann (1911-1975)
Mr. James that when the movie first came out, he didn't tire of watching it because he had an unhealthy obsession on Miss Kim Novak.

Scherzo from Symphony No. 10
Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975)
Ah, Shostakovich and his many film scores.

Things to Come: March - Machines - Attack on the Moon Guns
Arthur Bliss (1891-1975)

Mars from The Planets
Gustav Holst (1874-1934)
A staple of war movies, the SSO plays this with so much force and volume, my heart skipped a beat.

The Red Violin - Chaconne for violin and orchestra
John Corigliano (born 1938)

Interval
Gabriel's Oboe from The Mission
Ennio Morricone (born 1928)
Wonderfully played by the solo flautist. Others might know this as the background music for Russell Watson's Nella Fantasie.

Main Title from The Big Country
Jerome Moross (1913-1983)
The Big Country is America's attempt to define itself. (The tagline is "Big they fought! Big they loved! Big their story!" No joke.) The main theme is a catchy tune that reminds you of wide open vistas as far as the eyes can see. Something Copland would compose, and Boston Pops would play.

Buckaroo Holiday from Rodeo
Aaron Copland (1900-1990)
A witty, almost cheeky song that is certain to bring a smile to your face.

Battle of the Ice from Alexander Nevsky
Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953)
Another prolific film score composer. Battle on the Ice is about a Russian price leading his people to fight the invading Teutonic Knights (Germans). Some would say it's a propaganda film. Unfortunately, its timing was wrong. Russia and Germany were allies at that time, so the film was pulled from the theaters. Only when Russia and Germany became at odds years later, then the movie was heavily promoted.

Star Wars V, The Empire Strikes Back: Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme) - Main Title
John Williams (born 1932)
John Williams has composed film scores for most, if not all, of Spielberg's movies - Indiana Jones, Star Wars, E.T., Saving Private Ryan, etc. He has been nominated 45 time, and has won 5 Oscars. Mr. James said he's not jealous of Mr. Williams - he just likes to think that Mr. Williams has lost 40 times.

For the encore, the orchestra played the Shower Theme from Psycho. At middle of the performance, the conductor playfully made some stabbing motion at the seated James. The audience wanted more, so we had the Star Trek Theme. I'll tell you, you can't really call yourself a Trekkie or a Star Wars fan if you haven't seen and heard the pieces performed by a live orchestra. The music truly comes to life!