Never mind May the 4th be with you! “Star Wars” opened on May 25, 1977. If you weren’t a kid in the summer of ’77, there’s no way you could possibly understand how good life could be. Long lines, sold-out theaters, enthusiastic audiences, eyepopping special effects, strange worlds, high adventure, and a dynamite soundtrack with the power to change lives. Although I was conscious of movie music well before “Star Wars” (I was a film junkie from the time I could watch TV), it was “Star Wars” that really introduced me to the power of the symphony orchestra. The rest, as they say, is history. Happy Orthodox Star Wars Day!
Tag: Soundtrack
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Remembering Ennio Morricone Maestro Forever
This is the first Ennio Morricone birthday we celebrate without the Maestro. Morricone died in July at the age of 91. The untouchable who touched us all. Mi manchi, Morricone.
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Lost Worlds Movie Music on WWFM
As the days grow shorter, it’s easy to get lost. Be sure then to have your radio, tablet, or phone handy, so as not to miss a heart-pounding second of “Picture Perfect” and music from movies about lost worlds.
Thrill to selections from “King Kong” (Max Steiner), “Journey to the Center of the Earth” (Bernard Herrmann), “One Million Years B.C.” (Mario Nascimbene), and “Jurassic Park” (John Williams).
Tie a string around your finger for “Lands That Time Forgot.” It will be a show to remember, this Saturday evening at 6:00 EDT, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.
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Kurosawa Film Music WWFM Friday
Carve out some time for music from the films of Akira Kurosawa, on “Picture Perfect,” this Friday evening at 6:00 EDT, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.
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Happy Birthday Henry Mancini Music Legend
Happy birthday, Henry Mancini!
The recipient of 4 Academy Awards, 20 Grammy Awards, 1 Golden Globe, and a posthumous Grammy for Lifetime Achievement. His arrangement of Nino Rota’s love theme from “Romeo and Juliet” spent two weeks at the top of the rock-dominated Billboard charts in 1969.
“The Pink Panther,” with Mancini at the piano
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBupII3LH_Q“Peter Gunn”
(The original session pianist on the show was none other than John “Johnny” Williams)“Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (Audrey Hepburn sings “Moon River”)
Mancini on composing “Moon River”
“Hatari!”
(Mancini quipped that the “Baby Elephant Walk” put his three baby elephants through college)Boy, does this one take me back!
Mancini on music education
Henry Mancini in duet with James Galway – “76 Trombones” on two flutes!
Mancini-Galway conclusion, with a John Williams bonus
Henry: A Personal Recollection
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