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I have been a long time concert goer in Los Angeles and can attest to everything Henry (Morricone) is saying here about this fabulous orchestra. I am probably too late to recommend anyone to the Superhero concert, but as long as the GSPO exist and are still performing, I will add my effusive encouragement to attend their incredible concerts if one has even the slightest opportunity. Even though I now live in Perth Australia, I was able to attend their Halloween Concert and took a friend who had never been to one. We were both blown away. Please see my review especially for the closing number on video (authorized) here:
http://thecinemacafe.com/the-cinema-treasure-hunter/2013/12/2/treasured-appearances-3-varese-sarabande-35th-anniversary-halloween-gala
Here is another performance of the GSPO. Hopefully some can get an idea as to how enthusiastic and professional this orchestra performs and be motivated to attend future concerts.
http://thecinemacafe.com/the-cinema-treasure-hunter/2015/3/5/time-out
Finally, if Henry would be so kind as to tell us a little about the Superhero concert, I, and I'm sure some others here, would love to hear about it.
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Posted: |
Apr 27, 2015 - 12:23 PM
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By: |
Morricone
(Member)
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Let me start off thanking everyone who came to this concert. Was it relatively unattended? Yes, but I can’t think of one where more FSMers have shown up. I bumped into crogrr, CCW1970, On The Score, drivingmissdaisy, Jon Broxton, Tom Servo and a ton more roaming the Warner Grand. I like to think I brought some in but more likely they have discovered what I discovered long ago, Steven Allen Fox puts together one hell of a show no matter what the theme is. I, obviously in the minority, think Superhero themes can get a bit repetitive. Here is how Steven won me over.
First he began with the John Williams superhero theme no one has problems with – SUPERMAN. But not the commonly used straight version but the less used one with the Krypton opening. This got the joint jumping.
And then came what has become my favorite part of these concerts, discovering new music and new composers. Lolita Ritmanis is Latvian, but born in America, and made Steven an unofficial Latvian for pronouncing her name properly. She has a wonderful old school slant to her music (she was mentored by Shirley Walker) and her themes have that solid feel rather than new age repetiveness. I haven’t followed TV animation for a while so didn’t know her work but with THE JUSTICE LEAGUE and other pieces now I am sold.
Next came THE AMAZING SPIDERMAN by James Horner and the only item that had problems. It began beautifully but had horn problems midway. Considering there were 14 pieces that night and this was the only major glitch it indeed is a minor gripe.
THE LAST STARFIGHTER – Craig Safan has been with the GSPO quite a few times and is a major contributor. I have to admire this piece and Stu Phillip’s BATTLESTAR GALLACTICA for being part of the mass post STAR WARS music that stand out enough to distinguish itself from many an imitation. Craig, as most composers who play their own music, gets the most from the GSPO and this rendition came across full-bodied and glorious.
BATMAN BEGINS – This James Newton Howard/Hans Zimmer piece is one that makes me react to the idea of too generic a theme and score. This one never hit me as distinguished in a rather distinguished film. But if there is a strength to it in this concert, as well as in the movie, it is in the performance. Hearing and seeing the GSPO explode before me, as opposed to listening to this on CD, leaves me little room to complain. THIS is how BATMAN BEGINS should be heard! Wow!
THE IRON MAN medley was boosted by John Debney contributing the original electronic adornment to the score played in sync to the GSPO. It changed the flavor of the piece and made for an absolutely unique ending to Act I.
Act II
Then we had CAPTAIN AMERICA which I had a positive leaning towards because Marvel retained the WW2 origins and Alan Silvestri carried that retro tinge into his music. Nice strong rendition of the end crdits started part 2 off spectacularly.
Bear McCreary’s AGENTS OF SHIELD overture has too much of that new-agey approach that too many modern superhero music has for me. But it was the shortest piece of the night.
Originally I thought the same of AGENT CARTER but hearing this suite Christopher Lennertz did, bringing with him soloist soprano Ayana Haviv, I found I really like the feminine overlay that sets this music apart. Very cool stuff!
THOR In the whole Marvel universe the music I have no problem with is THOR. This is probably because of the double whammy of Patrick Doyle doing his absolutely best work for director Kenneth Branagh (listen to everything from HENRY V to the new CINDERELLA) and he gets to play with medieval orchestrations that set this music WAY apart. My favorite.
INCREDIBLE HULK When I heard he was doing the Joe Harnell “the Lonely Man” theme I thought to myself I never heard this with an orchestra. Well I still haven’t. Steven wisely gave it to his pianist Jonathan Hughes to create the most touching moment of the night.
BATMAN suite. The “other” superhero theme that no one has problems with is put through it’s impressive paces in this suite that brought the whole thing to a wonderful close.
Ah but there is always an encore and he picked Silvestri’s AVENGERS theme. This arrangement was explosive and to the point. Steven took the time afterward to express that this music is new and fantastic music is still being written for film today.
So that is how Steven Allen Fox and the GSPO bowled me over – a non-superhero fan. You can imagine what the theater of fans of this music felt. Yeah, a standing ovation.
You can also imagine what I feel about his next one 1985 LIVE where Jerry Goldsmith, Georges Delerue, David Shire, Bruce Broughton, Michael Kamen, Alan Silvestri and a lot more are being played. It isn’t just my cup of tea, it is my nirvana!
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Allow me to add to the chorus of those who loved this concert.
A great time, lots of great music, and well played. Awesome. 
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