The World of James Horner
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6/13/16 |
What You’ll See & Hear: David Newman leads the ORF Vienna Radio-Symphony Orchestra in performances of classic film scores and a tribute to James Horner.
Concert Selections: Hollywood In Vienna Fanfare, Metropolis, Space Mountain, Star Trek Medley, Gattaca, A.I. – Artificial Intelligence, Independence Day, Universal Fanfare, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Braveheart, Willow, A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13, Aliens, Mask of Zorro, Rocketeer, An American Tail, Avatar, Legends of the Fall, Titanic, The Amazing Spider-Man, and The Land Before Time
A Fitting Tribute Becomes A Beautiful Memorial: Hollywood In Vienna is an annual film music festival held the Vienna Concert Hall. The main event is the presentation of the Max Steiner Film Music Achievement Award. In 2013, James Horner was honored with this prestigious prize. No one could know it at the time, but this would be one of Horner’s final major public appearances. And now, as we near the one-year anniversary of his tragic death, Varèse Sarabande is releasing the concert and symposium on Blu-Ray.
Watching this after his death is an extremely emotional experience. If you have felt a massive absence in film music, The World of James Horner will serve as a wonderful memorial. For those of us not immediately involved in the film score world, it can be difficult to process such a loss. This production brought me that much needed closure. There were multiple moments where tears came to my eyes. It was a much needed release. Heightening the personal connection was the fact that (at the same time my emotions came out) the camera came to Horner and showed his own tears being wiped away. It was clear that this night meant a lot to him. He was touched by the tribute, and I got to share in that feeling right alongside with him.
The concert selections are perfect. For me personally, it is like they reached into my mind and pulled out my hallowed list of Horner’s greatest hits. They spare no expense when it comes to instrumentation and bring out the Horner colors we all know and love. From vocalists and pennywhistles to the uilleann pipes – it is all there. The vocal performances blend beautifully with the orchestra, and also serve as a reminder of the great songs in Horner’s library. The night’s use of a medley is also greatly appreciated. There is so much music throughout Horner’s life and they pack every minute as tightly as they can. Every single one of those minutes is magic.
The production itself is wonderfully done. There are plenty of cameras, which give us an almost omnipresent view. The well planned editing allows us to see the performers we hope to as the concert progresses. And, David Newman is a joy to watch. I applaud him for his compositional contributions, but even more so for his dedication to film music as a concert art form. And throughout it all there are wonderful shots of Horner taking it all in. The Vienna Concert Hall is gorgeous and adds a sense of gravitas to the night. As fans know, our music’s “seriousness” and "worthwhileness” is often up for debate. But on this night in 2013, there was no discussion. We get high production value from start to finish and the film music is permitted to exist in all its beauty, no questions asked.
Along with the concert, The World of James Horner treats us to a symposium with Horner and Robert Townson of Varèse Sarabande. This is truly magical. I won’t spoil the specifics – you should experience it all on your own. It is a simple but touching look into his experiences and compositional practices. From his belief in creating color first to his comments on modern film music, every word is thoughtfully captivating.
If you are a fan of James Horner’s music, you won’t hear anything new on this Blu-Ray. We know his library by heart. But, you will feel a deep connection to the composer as a musician and human being. It is a fitting memorial that I will personally watch time and time again. It is my hope that Film Score Fans will join each other in enjoying this experience. James Horner will live on in our memories… if we hold on together.
Concert Selections: Hollywood In Vienna Fanfare, Metropolis, Space Mountain, Star Trek Medley, Gattaca, A.I. – Artificial Intelligence, Independence Day, Universal Fanfare, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Braveheart, Willow, A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13, Aliens, Mask of Zorro, Rocketeer, An American Tail, Avatar, Legends of the Fall, Titanic, The Amazing Spider-Man, and The Land Before Time
A Fitting Tribute Becomes A Beautiful Memorial: Hollywood In Vienna is an annual film music festival held the Vienna Concert Hall. The main event is the presentation of the Max Steiner Film Music Achievement Award. In 2013, James Horner was honored with this prestigious prize. No one could know it at the time, but this would be one of Horner’s final major public appearances. And now, as we near the one-year anniversary of his tragic death, Varèse Sarabande is releasing the concert and symposium on Blu-Ray.
Watching this after his death is an extremely emotional experience. If you have felt a massive absence in film music, The World of James Horner will serve as a wonderful memorial. For those of us not immediately involved in the film score world, it can be difficult to process such a loss. This production brought me that much needed closure. There were multiple moments where tears came to my eyes. It was a much needed release. Heightening the personal connection was the fact that (at the same time my emotions came out) the camera came to Horner and showed his own tears being wiped away. It was clear that this night meant a lot to him. He was touched by the tribute, and I got to share in that feeling right alongside with him.
The concert selections are perfect. For me personally, it is like they reached into my mind and pulled out my hallowed list of Horner’s greatest hits. They spare no expense when it comes to instrumentation and bring out the Horner colors we all know and love. From vocalists and pennywhistles to the uilleann pipes – it is all there. The vocal performances blend beautifully with the orchestra, and also serve as a reminder of the great songs in Horner’s library. The night’s use of a medley is also greatly appreciated. There is so much music throughout Horner’s life and they pack every minute as tightly as they can. Every single one of those minutes is magic.
The production itself is wonderfully done. There are plenty of cameras, which give us an almost omnipresent view. The well planned editing allows us to see the performers we hope to as the concert progresses. And, David Newman is a joy to watch. I applaud him for his compositional contributions, but even more so for his dedication to film music as a concert art form. And throughout it all there are wonderful shots of Horner taking it all in. The Vienna Concert Hall is gorgeous and adds a sense of gravitas to the night. As fans know, our music’s “seriousness” and "worthwhileness” is often up for debate. But on this night in 2013, there was no discussion. We get high production value from start to finish and the film music is permitted to exist in all its beauty, no questions asked.
Along with the concert, The World of James Horner treats us to a symposium with Horner and Robert Townson of Varèse Sarabande. This is truly magical. I won’t spoil the specifics – you should experience it all on your own. It is a simple but touching look into his experiences and compositional practices. From his belief in creating color first to his comments on modern film music, every word is thoughtfully captivating.
If you are a fan of James Horner’s music, you won’t hear anything new on this Blu-Ray. We know his library by heart. But, you will feel a deep connection to the composer as a musician and human being. It is a fitting memorial that I will personally watch time and time again. It is my hope that Film Score Fans will join each other in enjoying this experience. James Horner will live on in our memories… if we hold on together.
The World of James Horner was provided courtesy of The Krakower Group and Varèse Sarabande. Thank you!
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