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My only problem is we seem to be relegated to The original three Star Wars movies, the odd Indiana Jones adventure, and, nicely, Back To The Future.
(I never realized how bad the dialog is in the Hoth base sequences until I saw the live performance of TESB last year. Also, the ensemble was smaller than the studio orchestra, taking some of the punch out of, say, the Hoth Battle.)
Any one of the Star Trek movies would be ripe for this live treatment.
I would see any one of these performed live, but I'm not sure the public awareness is deep enoug to know how great the music is for these movies.
Titanic Live had a performance recently here in SoCal. It seemed well received.
Conan The Barbarian performed live might have enough juice to license out (and would be awesome).
But again, you really need ensembles and performances that live up to the studio recordings, or put a good live performance stamp on the the material.
But otherwise I'm generally cool with these live-to-film performances.
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Couldn't disagree more! I love these events. And for me they absolutely cement the whole purpose of film music in the first place. There are times when I find myself ignoring the film and watching the orchestra, but also where I'm taken in by the film and I forget that the players are there. But the music is always doing it's job and heightening emotion.
It makes total sense that the big hitters have been the ones given the treatment so far. Who knows what it will lead to, but hopefully just more!
I understand the preference for attending a concert and just hearing the music, but at almost every film music concert I've been to, (and it's been a fair few) I always walk away thinking "Agh... I wish they could have played the film version of that." And we absolutely get that this way.
I have Empire Strikes Back in September and I can't wait to hear the film version of The Asteroid Field, and all the cloud city escape music. And Superman next year! Wow. Can't wait.
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It's a fine idea for orchestras - anything they can do to get more people in the hall is good for them (assuming they make money, not easy with the costs involved).
And it's great for people who want to go see a favorite film and get the music live in person. Might even inspire someone here or there to explore more orchestra concerts or more film music, which would be a cool side benefit.
I've never been to one, and have no desire. I think they completely distort the intention of the film. I've never had trouble separating my love for film from my love for film music, and I don't need or want the balance shifted towards the music. (Silent movies excepted.)
I have been to a couple of concerts (Star Trek and Zelda video game music) that included montages and a few scenes from a number of different properties - thought that went very well. That's what works for me personally.
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The reason to not knock these concerts is that it's estimated that 25% of the people who attend them have NEVER heard a symphony orchestra play live.
The concerts tend to sell very well so booking them really helps boost orchestras' resources for their overall programming as well as their season subscriptions. And of course it means that film music continues to reach and inspire new people as well as giving hundreds of musicians the opportunity to play these scores.
As much as those of us here would love to listen to a complete score without the picture, most audiences would find it a head-scratcher. These concerts are welcoming people to the world of symphonic music and film music who have never paid it any attention.
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Saw E.T. live to film here in Colorado Springs and enjoyed the heck out of it. I'm amazed how good of an orchestra we have here in this famously uptight town.
My ONLY complaint was about all the people that got up and left while the orchestra was still playing through the end credits. Struck me as bizarre. I know I am one of the rare people who stay through the credits in the movie theater, but found it so disrespectful to walk out on the orchestra when they are still playing their hearts out.
Very much looking forward to Superman.
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Posted: |
Aug 19, 2019 - 12:03 PM
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By: |
Thor
(Member)
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As much as those of us here would love to listen to a complete score without the picture, most audiences would find it a head-scratcher.,
God, I would never want that. I just want to be presented with themes and suites in typical concert form. If you want some imagery, then I'm fine with conceptual art or even film stills on a screen behind the musicians. With these film concerts, however, attention is inevitably drawn to the film and the plot (as we cognitively prioritize visuals over the aural), perhaps with a glance or two at the orchestra on occasion. The pure, musical experience is mostly lost, and it's basically reduced to a fancy night at the movies.
But yes -- if I'm being all altruistic, I guess it's good that these things draw crowds, both for the orchestras and the potential for new fans. But that's about their only value, IMO.
If I want to see a whole film with music being played simultaneously, I'd much rather watch a recording session where at least you'll get to see the nuts and bolts of the creative process.
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One thing I wish they would do before the film starts:
Give a quick talk about the music itself, and the role it plays in the film.
For example, at the E.T. concert it would have been great if the conductor had had the orchestra play quick versions of the various themes, and then discuss how they are used in the film to reflect various ideas, characters and emotions. Take maybe 10 - 15 minutes, and then I think the audience would have a MUCH greater appreciation of the art of film scoring. So easy to do with a Williams score, where almost every character or idea gets its own theme or motif.
Mike M. - has something like this ever been discussed as part of the program?
Since I personally know some of the people at the local Philharmonic, I thought I might offer my services. I've spent some time studying theory / conducting with the associate director, and often do a presentation on the history of film scoring at various universities and at film events. It would be fun!
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