West Coast Symphony Orchestra presents Journey into the Music of John Williams, featuring guest conductor Hal Beckett, Sunday, Nov. 17 at North Vancouver's Centennial Theatre at 2 p.m. By donation. centennialtheatre.com.
When Hal Beckett took in a screening of Star Wars back in the day, interested in seeing for himself what all the fuss was about, he walked away with more than he bargained for.
"Besides just being absolutely drawn into the story and the characters, I remember distinctly the music being so powerful that it's lived with me ever since," he says.
The classic film was scored by famed American composer John Williams, someone Beckett has long looked up to. The North Vancouver resident has been active in the local film music scene as a composer and conductor for more than 30 years. It goes without saying then that he's excited to be taking the stage Sunday at Centennial Theatre as a guest conductor with the West Coast Symphony Orchestra for a performance celebrating Williams' talent. The show's repertoire includes: "The Raiders March," from Raiders of the Lost Ark; The Music of E.T. - "Adventures on Earth" and "The Flying Theme;" "Three Pieces" from Schindler's List, featuring a solo by violinist Mark Ferris, concertmaster of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra; the theme from Jurassic Park; the "Suite from Jaws;" and the "Star Wars Suite for Orchestra."
"I've always been a John Williams fan and always loved his music very much," says Beckett. "Conducting his music with the orchestra of course made me have to really analyze and dig deep into the scores to really learn how he orchestrates, how he lets his themes unfold. So for me that was an absolutely thrilling process to go through that. And then too of course to work with all the marvelous musicians of the West Coast Symphony, that was an added treat. They've just attacked this music with energy and excitement and they're really playing well. It's going to be an exciting concert."
Beckett has written music for more than 500 television episodes and 30 films, earning him Gemini and Leo Awards in addition to an Emmy nomination in 2000 for the main title theme for TV series Call of the Wild. Recent projects include animated series Nerds and Monsters and upcoming Hallmark Channel holiday film Hats off to Christmas! featuring Haylie Duff.
He also serves as music director of and conducts the Vancouver Film Orchestra, which performs and records scores for film and television, and most recently conducted the feature No Clue starring Brent Butt and Amy Smart.
This marks the first time Beckett has conducted the West Coast Symphony Orchestra and it's the first time the ensemble will take the Centennial Theatre stage.
"That's a big thrill as well, to play in such a nice venue and to play on my home turf," says Beckett.
Audience members are encouraged to come dressed as their favourite character from a John Williams film and prizes will be awarded.
"I'm hoping that we're going to see maybe some Darth Vaders, or a shark or two. I think that's a lot of fun and something to engage the kids with," says Beckett.
When asked whether Williams' influence will be heard in his future compositions as a result of this experience, he says, "When you listen to John Williams music, even over and above the music we're playing this weekend, his music is always so different from project to project."
Beckett draws comparisons between the music of Schindler's List and "The Imperial March" (Darth Vader's Theme), as well as the music of Memoirs of a Geisha and the jazz-influenced score of Catch Me If You Can, pointing out that Williams' music is always different and always appropriate for the film he's scoring.
"When given the opportunity to write something along the lines of an epic like Star Wars or a deeply emotional film like Schindler's List, I'm sure John Williams' influence will no doubt come out in my work," he says.
In addition to Sunday's concert, the West Coast Symphony Orchestra will present their John Williams program this evening at 8 p.m. at Vancouver's Christ Church Cathedral at 690 Burrard St., also by donation.
