Williams at the Bowl

Williams at the Bowl

Sep 02

Thanks to good geek pals John Charles and Katherine (they, along with the mighty Chris Stewart, are responsible for my introduction to Spaced), I got to spend Saturday night the way every Saturday night should be spent: at the Hollywood Bowl, watching John Williams conduct the Los Angeles Philharmonic. There was a sweet little tribute to filmmaker Stanley Donen (he of Singin’ in the Rain/Funny Face/that clip where Fred Astaire dances on the walls that was later used to sell vacuum cleaners fame), but what really makes Williams’ annual jaunt to the Bowl special is the utter joy that ripples through the crowd when he conducts his own compositions. Hearing those soaring scores float over the summer-drenched greenery of the Bowl is enough to remind you of why you liked Star Wars in the first place, before it was a hotbed of geek controversy and disappointment. Indiana Jones, Superman, E.T. — all in there as well, all reminding you of iconic moments in your childhood.

And as soon as the opening notes of The Imperial March rang out, clumps of lightsabers lit up the crowd, bopping along in time to the beat. It was a great moment — geekily enthusiastic, yet respectful. A fitting tribute to a guy who keeps showing us just how much more powerful music can make a moving picture.