Classic Ross Amico

Tag: Elmer Bernstein

Film & Concert Composers on WPRB Today

Composers writing for film AND the concert hall this morning. Right now, we’re listening to Ennio Morricone’s “Esercizi for 10 String Soloists.” Just ahead, Elmer Bernstein’s theme for “The Magnificent Seven” and his Guitar Concerto. Later on this morning, works by Jerry Goldsmith, John Williams, Bernard Herrmann, Miklós Rózsa and more.

At 10:00, we’ll be joined by Daniel Spalding. Spalding will conduct the New Jersey Capital Philharmonic Orchestra in a blockbuster program of “Cinematic Classics” this weekend, including works by Rózsa, Herrmann and William Walton, with Odin Rathnam the soloist in Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s Violin Concerto. The concert will take place at the Trenton War Memorial on Saturday evening at 7:30.

It’s ALL magnificent, until 11:00 EDT, on WPRB 103.3 FM and at wprb.com.

May 12, 2016
Magnificent Seven Elmer Bernstein’s Western Scores

Chris (Brynner): You forget one thing. We took a contract.
Vin (McQueen): It’s sure not the kind any court would enforce.
Chris: That’s just the kind you’ve got to keep.

Join me for seven magnificent western scores by Elmer Bernstein – “The Comancheros,” “The Shootist,” “The Sons of Katie Elder,” “True Grit,” “Wild Wild West,” “The Hallelujah Trail,” and of course “The Magnificent Seven” – on “Pictrure Perfect,” tonight at 6 ET, with a repeat tomorrow morning at 6; or listen to it later as a webcast at wwfm.org.

September 11, 2015
Elmer Bernstein’s Western Film Score Legacy

Elmer Bernstein scored films in just about every genre – from “The Man with the Golden Arm” (1955) to “The Ten Commandments” (1956) to “To Kill a Mockingbird” (1962) to “The Great Escape” (1963) to “Animal House” (1978) to “The Age of Innocence” (1993) to his final project, the Oscar-nominated “Far from Heaven” (2002) – but he had a particular knack for the western.

His swaggering theme for “The Magnificent Seven” (1960) is just about synonymous with most people’s idea of western adventure. (It also sold a heck of a lot of cigarettes when it was licensed by Marlboro.)

Not surprisingly, “The Magnificent Seven” put Bernstein much in demand as a western composer, and he wrote scores for many, including most of the films of John Wayne’s final decade. What’s striking is just how much he was able to vary them. His work for “The Comancheros” (1961) is very different from that for “True Grit” (1969), for instance, and “The Shootist” (1976), Wayne’s final film, is different still.

You’ll be able to sample some of them, when we saddle up for western scores of Elmer Bernstein, on “Picture Perfect” – music for the movies – this Friday evening at 6 ET, with a repeat Saturday morning at 6; or listen to them later on the webcast at wwfm.org.

September 10, 2015
Classical Music Radio Support Elmer Bernstein Special

Thank you all for your financial and moral support yesterday. While I doubt it will do much for me in terms of ensuring regular live air shifts, it was heartening to see so many familiar names. At the very least, your contributions help maintain a classical music presence on the radio, including specialty shows like “Picture Perfect” and “The Lost Chord.”

Speaking of “Picture Perfect,” the show will air at a special time this week, on account of the pledge drive. I hope you’ll join me this afternoon at 4 ET for a selection of film scores by Elmer Bernstein, including “The Magnificent Seven,” “The Age of Innocence,” “Stripes” and “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

Next week, “Picture Perfect” will return to its regular time, Friday evening at 6. You can always enjoy it at http://www.wwfm.org. Shows are archived as webcasts for approximately three months following broadcast.

June 28, 2014
Live Radio Shift Pledges Needed Now

LIVE AIR SHIFT ALERT! I’ve been given my first live shift since being removed from the weekend mornings at the end of March. I’ll be on tomorrow from 1 to 4 p.m., asking for your pledges of support. It may be my last live shift for quite some time. My understanding is that I will still be selecting all my own music.

Because of the pledge drive, “Picture Perfect” will be heard this week on Saturday, at 4 p.m ET. In keeping with the drive’s Americana theme, the focus will be on the film scores of Elmer Bernstein (including “The Magnificent Seven” and “To Kill a Mockingbird”). “The Lost Chord” will air, as usual, Sunday night at 10, and will feature an hour of vintage Gershwin recordings.

Remember, the station really needs the dough. Even if you’re not happy with some of the changes, it’s still 24 hours of classical music. Also, WWFM remains the distributor of specialty shows like “Picture Perfect” and “The Lost Chord.”

Feel free to express your likes and dislikes, but remember a generous pledge will get your opinions taken more seriously. Do not hold out hopes that I will be restored to weekend mornings. Unless a big time patron steps forward by the end of the month to subsidize my chair, it ain’t going to happen.

Your pledges, especially between 1 and 4 tomorrow, but anytime, with perhaps a kind word for your humble host, are greatly appreciated.

Listen and donate here: http://www.wwfm.org.

Thank you for supporting The Classical Network.

June 26, 2014

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