“A CELEBRATION OF JOHN WILLIAMS: OPENING GALA CONCERT”
September 30, 2014, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles, CA
The Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Gustavo Dudamel
JOHN WILLIAMS, special guest conductor
U.S. Army Herald Trumpets
Los Angeles Children’s Chorus and members from the Angeles Chorale – Anne Tomlinson, conductor
Itzhak Perlman, violin
CONCERT REVIEWS
BROADWAY WORLD
- LA Philharmonic Began New Season with Celebration of John Williams, 9/30 – The concert hall was then filled with the ominous opening measures of Williams’ Theme from Jaws, which caused the children chorus members to flee the stage in mock-terror (but of course with bright smiles on their faces). Dudamel then took the opportunity to come into the audience to escort the evening’s honoree to the stage, where Williams began leading the orchestra in a performance of his famous Imperial March from Star Wars. Shortly after the music began, the audience was surprised by the appearance onstage of a phalanx of official Imperial Stormtroopers, heralding the arrival of one of history’s most infamous film villains, Darth Vader himself, carrying a light saber. – Full article at Broadway World: Page 1 – Page 2
THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
- L.A. Philharmonic Opening Gives Peek at 1977 ‘Star Wars’ Storyboards – The ominous sounds of Jaws, a phalanx of Stormtroopers marching onto the stage with Darth Vader, silver confetti cut in the shape of R2-D2 and C-3PO, and violinist Itzhak Perlman (performing the Schindler’s List solo he originally played for the film’s 1993 score) heralded the gala opening of 2014-2015 season of the Los Angeles Philharmonic on Tuesday night, Sept. 30 at downtown L.A.’s Walt Disney Concert Hall.. – Full article
LOS ANGELES MAGAZINE
- In a Galaxy a lot Closer Than You’d Think: The LA Phil’s Celebration of John Williams – The conductor is exciting to watch (and that’s just his hair bouncing to and fro) and listen to, and he knows how to have a laugh. During the celebration the Los Angeles Children’s choir filed into Disney Hall and ended up onstage to sing music from the film Amistad. For their exit, Dudamel began conducting the dah-dun-dah-dun from Jaws (another William’s flick). The kids ran off screaming. – Full article (includes photos)
LOS ANGELES TIMES
- John Williams’ mastery on display at L.A. Philharmonic season opener – Most important was Dudamel’s revival of “Soundings,” the piece Williams wrote for one of the three opening programs of Disney in 2003. It is a kind of soundtrack for a concert hall, telling the story of a venue’s awakening, glistening, responding and rejoicing. A flute plays a motive, an unseen flute offstage responds. Sterling brass, glittering percussion, shimmering strings bounce melodic sparks off the walls. The space, as if it were a character in a coming-of-age film, comes alive. – Full article (includes photos)
- John Williams honored at L.A. Phil Gala – Said Dudamel from onstage to Williams: “We are here tonight to pay homage to your genius and to your heart, because you are one of the best composers in our time. But the most important thing is, you are a great human being.” Full article
ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
- More than Hollywood glitz in L.A. Philharmonic’s tribute to John Williams – Violinist Itzhak Perlman arrived for Three Pieces from “Schindler’s List” and the Cadenza and Variations from “Fiddler on the Roof,” both works adapted for concert performance. These kinds of adaptations are one of the reasons Williams’ film music works so well in concert, generally. We don’t just hear chunks of music lifted from a film, but a nicely formed package. Perlman took a minute or two to get warmed up it seemed, but then settled in to give the simple melodies flight without undue schmaltz.- Full article
VARIETY
- Darth Vader, Storm Troopers Crash Stage as L.A. Philharmonic Honors John Williams – “I remember going to the cinema to listen to music,” Dudamel recalled. “To see the movie, of course! But as a musician you try to focus on how the music does the magic to the movie.” Addressing Williams, who was seen cheering and applauding throughout the program, he continued, “We are here tonight to pay homage to your genius and to your heart, because you are one of the best composers in our time. But the most important thing, you are a great human.”- Full article
PHOTOS
