The Magic of John Williams

ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra

Featuring:

ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra

Gerard Salonga, conductor

Nikki Gil and Jose Mari Chan

There had been numerous occasions when I’ve imagined myself at a concert hall watching an actual orchestra perform a majestic, romantic and epic piece. But in reality, I was just inside a movie theater still savoring the lushly arranged score as the film’s end credits roll and most of the audience having already left the cinema. Thankfully, I need not imagine anymore as the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra performed movie themes by John Williams during the orchestra’s first solo, major concert The Magic of John Williams that was held at the Meralco Theater. The orchestra’s music director and principal conductor, Gerard Salonga explained that film music is a good way to introduce people to orchestra performances. And having this concert was also a good way to introduce the orchestra, the newest player in the scene, to the people.

Having a programme consisting solely of John Williams’ music was a good choice for the orchestra since his music is recognizable, familiar and very accessible to the everyday man. Also, John Williams also celebrated his 80^th birthday earlier this year so the timing couldn’t be any better. Speaking of timing, the concert opened with the 1984 Olympic Fanfare which was again very fitting since the 2012 London Olympics have just recently concluded.

The concert had movie themes for everyone. The young ones and the young at heart who grew up reading Harry Potter novels and then watching the movie versions were treated to music from the film. The orchestra’s wind section (flute, oboe, clarinet and bassoon) was given the spotlight as they played the challenging Nimbus 2000 piece. Concertmaster Ralph Taylan was also given the chance to shine as he played the violin solo during the orchestra’s rendition of the hauntingly beautiful Schindler’s List Theme.

R2-D2

While John Williams may be responsible for scoring many blockbusters, he also had his share of scoring a box office flop. One such movie was Yes, Giorgio starring the late Luciano Pavarotti. Aside from the disastrous box office return and its famous lead star, not much else is remembered from the film, well except the music. Singers Jose Mari Chan and Nikki Gil sang If We Were In Love, which was probably the most memorable to come out from the film. Another not so well known John Williams piece that Gerard felt he had to include in the concert was The Mission which was the NBC Nightly News theme. It was really odd to hear a news theme being performed at a concert but it was a nice change of pace and the audience responded positively to it. After that, the music went on to outer space territory as the orchestra performed music from the movies Close Encounters of the Third Kind and E.T. the Extra Terrestrial that closed out the first half of the concert.

The concert resumed with the orchestra playing the theme from Superman. After this piece, Gerard revealed a Superman shirt underneath his suit. But this shirt paled in comparison to Gerard Sison who watched the concert in complete Superman costume. Superman music would not be complete without the classic song Can You Read My Mind and Nikki Gil returned on stage to sing it. Her beautiful rendition of the song only made me set higher expectations for future Star Cinema productions especially with their movie theme songs now that they have an orchestra on hand.

Movies featuring creatures that devour people were featured next as the orchestra played the music from Jaws and Jurassic Park. It was very interesting that the music of Jaws went beyond those infamous two notes. I was very amused when I heard a pastoral theme and of all things, a fugue which doesn’t evoke an image of a great white shark terrorizing the sea at all. Then the theme from the Raiders of the Lost Ark was played as supposed to be the “last piece” for the night. But no one bought it of course since no concert featuring the music of John Williams would be complete without Star Wars. Such was the delight of the crowd hearing the Main Theme from Star Wars that they applauded with some giving the orchestra a standing ovation right after that movement was played. A very amused Gerard had to tell the audience that there were still two more movements left which were Leia’s Theme and the Imperial March (Darth Vader’s Theme).

Still, this wasn’t enough as the audience demanded for more. And instead of just more music, Darth Vader, Bobba Fett, C-3PO, R2-D2, Stormtroopers, Scouttroopers, Snowtroopers, etc. and a lone Jedi (members of the 501^st Legion and sister group Rebel Legion) joined the orchestra on stage as the Throne Room/End Title was performed. One particular Stormtrooper, former Sponge Cola drummer and now solo artist, Chris Cantada stole this particular part of the concert as he became part of the orchestra itself by playing the bass drum.

I asked Chris for a few words regarding this experience and here is what he had to say:

Chris Cantada (check out the Stormtrooper tattoo)

“I'm still pinching myself. It's always great when I get to mix my love for performing music and Star Wars. But this was unlike any other experience! I was freaking out with excitement and fear. Fear because they just informed me 2 hours before the actual show! I've never played in an orchestra, but I know it's a huge deal. I'm just glad I knew how to read drum notation so at least I could practice a bit before the performance. I can now say I was conducted by the man Gerard Salonga!”

Not many know about this, but I actually talked to Chris and Radio Republic’s Adrian Arcega, the Jedi, weeks ago when I was still deciding if I would volunteer or not in conducting the orchestra as they play Star Wars during the Kapamilya Concert. They were very instrumental in convincing myself to go for it. I told them that if Chris is a Stormtrooper and Adrian is a Jedi, then I will be John Williams. Telling them those words meant that there was no turning back for me and that I had to volunteer for real. Who knew that some weeks later, the two would also have their Star Wars moment with the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra as well?

Darth Vader not pleased for RAd didn't know where the secret plans were

While the two and the rest of the Star Wars people on stage had an awesome experience, the rest of the audience also had an awesome time of their own as well. It was surprising and very exciting to see so many people whom I never see at classical music concerts, but I see elsewhere, who watched the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra. The orchestra had a very good start not only in establishing itself as one of the new orchestras in town but also in shattering the misconception that orchestra performances are only for the elite. Come on, who could ever accuse them of being elitist considering that Superman, Indiana Jones and a handful of Star Wars characters were among those who attended their concert?

The Magic of John Williams: The 2013 Repeat