Music Of The Movies at The Hollywood Bowl

I had the most wondrous of evenings this past Saturday night when our family went to a performance of Music Of The Movies at The Hollywood Bowl with the LA Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by John Williams. Everything was delightful- the venue, the company, (we went with our son's piano teacher and her family who are also friends and neighbors), the food, (picnicking is encouraged and we brought a beautiful crab salad with avocado and tomatoes, teriyaki chicken burritos, turtle brownies with caramel and pecans, and a bottle of wine to share because with us it is all about the food too!), perfect weather, (cool enough for a sweater and a cuddle), and of course, first and foremost, the Music.



The Hollywood Bowl is a unique venue, it is outdoors and built into a natural amphitheater created by the Hollywood Hills. In addition to encouraging picnicking where you can bring your own food and drinks, they also allow cameras and for this particular concert, LIGHT SABERS!!!! Mr.Williams is the composer of the music from Star Wars and many of the audience bring their light sabers for when he plays music from Star Wars.


(Light sabers powered up during The Imperial March from Star Wars).

To share and listen to musicians of this caliber tampers with your sense of reality. While listening to the movie themes, there was frequently a video montage of the movie and I had to keep reminding myself, "This is Live Music, not the soundtrack".

For the first half of the performance, the orchestra played music from The Harry Potter movies including the main title theme song and also the music that signifies a particular place or character in the movie such as Diagon Alley or The Night Bus. Actor Lynn Redgrave provided the introductions to the music in the first half including how the music becomes an essential part of the character and action. The First Violinst played her violin in the style of a witch fiddling as part of the Diagon Alley theme. I could practically see the sparks coming off her bow and the cobblestone streets with Harry and Hagrid shopping for wands and brooms while she played.

(Red, White, and Blue lighting during the Superman Theme.)

For the second half of the concert, the Orchestra played "As Time Goes By" from Casablanca, jazz from "Catch Me If You Can", the "Superman" and "Batman" themes, and then concluding with Not One, Not Two, Not Three, Not Four, But FIVE, Yes, Five Encores with Star Wars Theme Music. That was when the light sabers powered up and the audience raised their glowing weapons in salute to the Orchestra and conductor. Live music touches me, us, in a way nothing else does and I feel privileged to share in this evening with my family and friends and now you. We can't wait to go again next year.


May The Force be With You.

Thank you for sharing in Perfect Moment Monday, Mellow Yellow Monday, Ruby Tuesday, Midweek Blues, and The Color Carnival. (I'm multitasking this week. Can you say blogger slacker? Yes, I thought so, ;oD)