Filipino classical acts to perform greatest movie soundtracks

MANILA, Philippines — Since sound was added to movies, soundtracks have become an indispensable part of movies.

The function of a soundtrack is to create the atmosphere and set the tone of the film. Music enhances the story telling as it accentuates emotions, such as awe, joy, tension, surprise, fear, violence, pain, sorrow and romance.

Inspired by music in movies, businessman and concert impresario Eduardo 'Eddie' Yap has brought together some of the country’s best classical artists to perform some of the world’s greatest movie soundtracks in a one-night only concert, “Movies in Concert with Orchestra.”

“Movies in Concert with Orchestra” presents some outstanding works that belong to the Music Hall of Fame.

“These pieces of music stir our memories as we listen to their iconic melodies,” Yap, the concert's executive producer, says in a statement.

Included in the concert’s repertoire are soundtracks from some of the world’s biggest movie and TV series, “Game of Thrones,” “Star Wars,” “Schindler's List” and “James Bond.”

The works of Ennio Morricone, the renowned Italian composer, span a wide range of music styles employing various medium. He is considered the most versatile, experimental and influential music composer of all time. "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" was an instant hit and is considered one of the most influential in soundtracks in history. Together with a “Fistful of Dollars,” Morricone's distinctive music helped usher in an era of spaghetti westerns top billed by Clint Eastwood and Franco Nero.

Also included in the concert is “Also Sprach Zarathustra,” which Richard Strauss composed over a century ago. Strauss did not realize that one day his “Sunrise Fanfare” will fittingly be used in the award-winning futuristic film “2001 Space Odyssey.” “Fanfare” accompanies the awe-inspiring scene revealing God's magnificent creation - Earth - as serenely seen from outer space at sunrise.

Another soundtrack to be featured is from the 1939 produced a classic film “Gone with the Wind.” It became the most successful single film in history with 10 Academy Award nominations and eight Oscars. The soundtrack by Max Steiner, including “Tara's Theme,” remains in the repertoire of orchestral film scores beloved by generations of music lovers. 

Renowned as one of the most celebrated soundtrack composers of all time, John Williams’ musical genius shines through his varied masterpieces in blockbuster movies. Williams holds the most award nominations of a living person for original score. His “Schindler’s List” expresses profound sorrow. His marches in “Indiana Jones,” “Superman,” “Star Wars,” plus “Jaws,” “Jurassic Park,” among others, convey great excitement and adventure, as well as tender romance. His music in “Jaws” heightened mass phobia of sharks.

James Bond movies, on the other hand, spawned the debonair spy genre. While each Bond movie had its own theme music, all James Bonds in 26 films since “Dr. No” in 1962 have shot their Walter PPKs in the signature “Gun Barrel Theme” in the opening sequence. At the concert, a medley of favorite Bond themes will be presented.

What would Broadway be without music? Lines would be spoken and not sung, and the world would not have not known Lea Salonga and many other outstanding Filipino artists if not for Broadway music.

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Claude-Michel Schondberg composed music for two of the best musicals of all time – “Phantom of the Opera” and “Les Miserables.” These plays were adapted by Hollywood into films and “Think of Me,” “All I Ask of You” and “I dreamed a Dream” are included in the concert’s program.

Romantic melodies are universal favorites. Thus, in the concert, romantic feelings will be expressed through three songs, each presented through a different medium to achieve the desired effect. The violin expresses romance to die for in “A Time for Us” from “Romeo and Juliet.” Heart tugging yearning is conveyed by the orchestra in “Where is Your Heart” from “Moulin Rouge,” and “Love is A Many Splendored Thing” is sung operatic style by a tenor. 

These selections plus many other favorites allow music lovers to relive great moments of great films that enriched their lives.

Giving life to these “soundtracks of our lives” are globally-renowned Filipino talents like the Manila Chamber Orchestra Foundation and its slew of young musical talents like coloratura soprano Stefanie Quintin, tenor NohmerNival and violinist Christian Tan.

For tickets, call SM Tickets or 782-7164, 0920-9540053, and 0917-83430274.

— Reports from Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo