Movies and the Musical Genius

I believe I have mentioned before my belief that each life has a “soundtrack.” That is, we have music that defines each of us, that is meaningful to relevant times in our lives. For each of us there are special songs that root us in our lives.

For some, however, creating these soundtracks becomes their life’s work. How could Rick and Ilsa of Casablanca reunite without “As Time Goes By"? The Wizard of Oz simply would not be the same without the young Judy Garland singing “Over the Rainbow.” And Saturday Night Fever? Not the same without “Staying Alive.”

One of the most prolific and celebrated contemporary composers of movie soundtracks is John Williams. The now 80-year-old American-born son of a jazz drummer, he has composed some of the most enduring and recognizable movie scores: Star Wars, Jaws, Superman, Jurassic Park, Schindler’s List, Fiddler on the Roof, ET, three Harry Potter films, and Home Alone, just to mention a few. 

On the evening of May 10, the Baltimore Symphonic Band played but a smattering of the movie themes from this Oscar-winning composer.

The 50-plus piece symphonic band is a true product of musical love. The all-volunteer band, formed in 1981, consists of an enthusiastic group of dedicated musicians who give freely of their time. They meet once a week to practice on the campus of the Community College of Baltimore County Essex. Under the direction of Peabody-trained Chris Wolfe, the BSO's current assistant clarinetist, the band rehearses for their numerous scheduled performances.

The band features an eclectic ensemble of musicians, including a middle-aged female Asian percussionist, a young female fuchsia-haired flutist, a young African American male with dreadlocks on tuba, and a middle-aged male Hispanic trumpet player. The uniting factor is a love of music, all corralled by Wolfe into a seamless harmonious whole. It is a microcosm of what the diverse world population could accomplish. 

The concert was performed on the campus of the Oak Crest Village retirement community. The hall in Crestview Station was large, perhaps capable of holding nearly 500 persons, and it was nearly filled to capacity.

The band began with the rousing “Evening at Pops.” Williams was, in fact, the conductor for the Boston Pops at one point in his career. Next up was the familiar “Theme from Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” Wolfe reminded the audience of the placement and purpose for this song within the context of the movie. Aliens are coming to Earth. How can we communicate with them? What will be an appropriate method? Music, of course!

A five-note melody is played to connect Earth, space and music. It is accompanied in the movie by hand signals and a visual light display that show our receptiveness to this new and alien visiting culture. Such is the purpose of music in our lives as well: connectiveness, communication and clarification.

The “Theme from Jurassic Park” was next. A huge, heroic piece, it actually produced goose bumps. The stirring and haunting theme from “Schindler’s List” was next introduced as Wolfe’s favorite composition of Williams' vast repertoire.  Carolyn Williams took the flute solo with her parents in the audience. The evocative emotions of the theme passed through the audience with the piercing lament from her flute.

A medley from two Harry Potter films was next. The Chamber of Secrets and Goblets of Fire were represented. The Goblets of Fire theme was written by one of Williams’ protégées. The pieces were fanciful and full of magical flight interspersed with interludes of weighty swirling battle heaviness. The Goblets of Fire piece featured audience participation of a loud and scary “Ha!” as directed by the conductor.

A medley from The Witches of Eastwick, Home Alone and “The Star of Bethlehem” led into the theme from the John Wayne movie The Cowboys, which evoked wide-open prairies and big macho hoedowns. Two of the percussionists donned cowboy hats to heighten the experience. 

“Hymn to the Fallen” from Saving Private Ryan followed, with a dedication from Wolfe to the Navy Seals who risked their lives in Afghanistan recently to secure our freedom and for all the military heroes who serve our country without recognition. It was a solemn, reverent piece floating on the somber dark notes emanating from the tuba. 

The soaring theme to Superman and a Pixar Movie Magic piece, including Randy Newman’s “You Got a Friend in Me,” relieved the heaviness of “Hymn to the Fallen.” The finale was the easily recognizable theme to The Empire Strikes Back. “Luke, I am your father.”

The 90-minute program was more than worth the admission price of a jar of peanut butter or jelly to feed the less fortunate. Please check out the daunting schedule for the BSB online and find some personal joy in including the BSB in the soundtrack of your life.