Philharmonic to Perform Music From the Big Screen
The Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic is paying homage to the man responsible for some of the movies' most beloved soundtracks.
This weekend, the Philharmonic will present "John Williams: At The Movies," an evening of music devoted to the popular film composer. Performances are scheduled for Friday at the F.M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre and Saturday at Scranton Cultural Center at The Masonic Temple. Both shows begin at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $18 to $55 ($10 for students) and available by phone at 341-1568 and online at
www.nepaphil.org.
The first pops concert of the 2009-10 season, "John Williams: At The Movies" will include a number of Mr. Williams' most popular compositions, among them the themes to "Superman," "Jaws," "E.T.," "Raiders of the Lost Ark," "Jurassic Park" and "Harry Potter."
The concert will also feature longtime NEPA Philharmonic concertmaster Erica Kiesewetter performing solo selections from "Schindler's List," while the entire second half of the show will be devoted to the six "Star Wars" films.
Director fan of composer
Philharmonic music director Lawrence Loh has long been a fan of Mr. Williams' work. However, when the orchestra performed a Williams salute during his first season at the helm, Mr. Loh was unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict.
"It was really sad because I really love John Williams' music," said Mr. Loh, noting the Philharmonic has spent the past few years steadily building its Williams library.
A big part of the appeal of a Williams composition, Mr. Loh said, is that when you hear it, you instantly associate it with the movie character it was written for, be it Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Superman or Indiana Jones.
Music works on its own
That said, the music stands perfectly well by itself, added Mr. Loh, noting his 6-year-old son has little knowledge of Williams-scored films, yet knows and loves the music all the same.
"He knows the music for itself," Mr. Loh said. "So that means the music is inherently appealing without the film."
A "Star Wars" fanatic since childhood, Mr. Loh plans to wield a light saber along with his baton at the concert, where at some point he'll be joined on stage by several "Star Wars" characters.
And, given Halloween is just around the corner, the Philharmonic is encouraging audience members to come dressed in "Star Wars" costumes. Prizes will be given to the best ones, according to Stephen Parulski, Philharmonic director of marketing and public relations.
In addition, the show will include a number of film-like sound effects, from screams complementing the "Jaws" theme to a dinosaur's foot stomping down during the "Jurassic Park" portion, Mr. Parulski said.
"It'll be a little bit more of a production," he said.
Family concert returns
In other Philharmonic news, the orchestra will perform its fourth annual Crescendo Family Concert, "From PA to the Pacific," on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Scranton Cultural Center at The Masonic Temple. Tickets for the show, which will include a pre-concert cultural activity at 1 p.m,, are $7.
The concert will mark the start of the Philharmonic's Jr. Music Critic Club, which will allow children audience members to do a review of the show. Participants must register at
www.nepaphil.org, where they'll receive a press pass and press kit.
Contact the writer:
jmcauliffe@timesshamrock.com If you go
What: "John Williams: At The Movies," presented by Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic
When and Where: Friday at the F.M. Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre, and Saturday at Scranton Cultural Center at The Masonic Temple, with both shows beginning at 8 p.m.
Details: Tickets are $18 to $55 ($10 for students) and available by phone at 341-1568 and online at
www.nepaphil.org.