September 17, 2014

  • RPO Movie Legends: John Williams

    There was a time when collections of film music were reserved for but a few pops-like recordings.  By the 1990s, with an expanded market and growing interest in film scores, there were a few more outlets for this led mainly by the Silva City of Prague orchestra.  Recordings such as those by Charles Gerhardt (1970s), Erich Kunzel (Cincinnatti), Boston Pops (Arthur Fiedler followed by John Williams), John Mauceri (Hollywood Bowl) were often all that was available with occasional pops-recordings by other conductors exploring this material (Richard Kaufman).  The transition to downloaded music has also dealt its blow to classical-like recordings of this material.  However, over the last couple of decades, film music fans in Britain had opportunities to enjoy recordings made with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and many of these, blending classic and contemporary film music, were exclusively available in the UK through the orchestra’s website.  With a wider distribution, many of these CDs are finding their way to a broader audience often repackaged for specific niches as part of the Here Comes the Classics marketing campaign.  At over 76 minutes of music, it is a more than generous survey of John Williams' music.

     

    The Movie Legends series explores music by a single composer culled from recent performances by the orchestra in the previous decade.  The present release compiled back in 2007 and now appearing in the states, focuses on a variety of music by John Williams.  The conductors, Nic Raine, Tolga Kashif, Nick Ingman, and Paul Bateman, are all house conductors from Silva’s releases working with a far more polished ensemble here.  These studio recordings were made between 2005 and 2007.  The arrangements are similar to the ones used with the City of Prague orchestra.  The only one by the composer is the opening end title music for Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom in an excellent display of the RPO’s sound and musicianship that sets up what is to come very well.

     

    The album is actually a fairly good traversal of Williams’ music including familiar themes from Jaws, Close Encounters (in an arrangement by Nick Ingman reminiscent of the composer’s “pop” single release), The Witches of Eastwick (the familiar “Devil’s Dance”—though not identified as such) Hook, Schindler’s List, and Superman; and popular selections from the first Harry Potter film (“Hedwig’s Theme”; “Harry’s Wondrous World”).  There are nice suites of music from Far and Away (one of the best tracks on the disc), War of the Worlds, and Jurassic Park (at times a bit too breezy).  “Adventures on Earth” from E.T. is one of the more performed selections from that score.  Star Wars is represented by “Across the Stars”—sigh of relief for those not needing another “Main Title” recording!

     

    The sequencing of selections is harder to pinpoint.  It is not chronological, nor are the recordings grouped by conductor or recorded date.  Instead, one just gets juggled about as if remembering great musical moments by one of the great film composers of our time.  The release is a great way to introduce younger listeners to this music, though many will not need an introduction, but it certainly makes for an ample amount of mostly familiar musical moments in fine performances.  While it may not be as innovative a program as some of the RPO’s Golden Age volumes, it is still another great release from their catalogue.