Now this sounds like a fun concert

[Auburn Annie]

Music from the movies
'RSO Goes to the Movies' Conexus Arts Centre

Kelly-Anne Riess
The Leader-Post


Monday, March 26, 2007


It's a spine-tingling experience to hear live trumpets open the Rocky theme, "Gonna Fly Now."

Music adds a magical element to film.

"Could you imagine if you heard music from The Nutcracker during the chariot scene in Ben-Hur," said Victor Sawa, the Regina Symphony Orchestra's music director and conductor.

Sawa recalled how a friend wore out two Ben-Hur soundtracks because he loved the music so much.

But there's a big difference between listening to your favourite music on a CD and hearing it live.

On Saturday night at the Conexus Arts Centre, the RSO gave movie fans a chance to hear a number of their favourite movie tunes live as part of the Shumiatcher Pops Series.

From Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) to Superman Returns (2006) a lot of movie ground was covered.

Guitar player Jack Semple brought the house down, playing "If You Could Read My Mind" a Gordon Lightfoot tune from Paperback Hero and Jerry Reed's jazz-guitar piece, "The Claw."

Semple helped out with the Rocky music and also "Rock Around the Clock" from American Graffiti.

Hearing "Rock Around the Clock," a classic rock song, sounded a little unusual played by a symphony orchestra -- but it was unusual in a good way.

Helping out on bass guitar was Stephen McLellan, who is a principal with the RSO on double bass. Taking on both roles kept him hopping during James Horner's theme from Titanic.

McLellan helped out on double bass for the first half of the piece and then had to pick up the bass guitar for the conclusion.

The RSO also performed "Nearer My God To Thee." This hymn was said to have been played by the musicians on deck as the Titanic was sinking, but the story has since been dismissed as legend.

While the song is quite sad, the RSO added some humour to the piece. The stage was lowered as the orchestra played -- and oboe player Wing Lok Soo, dressed as a sea captain, stood and saluted the audience. Some RSO members wore life jackets.

Principal cello player Cameron Lowe did some impressive solo work during Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, bringing a lot of emotion to the piece.

Some of the musicians were dressed as movie characters. There was a pirate or two, a fairy -- and bass trombone player Ian Tulloch as a Bond girl.

Concertmaster Eduard Minevich came out at the beginning of the concert pointing a fake gun at the audience.

While some of the musicians had fun with costumes, few audience members came to the concert in costume -- which made it difficult to give prizes for best costume at intermission.

After the intermission, Sawa realized he had forgotten his baton.

"I've had a lot of things happen to me on stage over the years. I've worn my suspenders on the outside of my jacket. I've had my you-know-what down, but I've never forgotten my baton" Sawa said before he sprinted off-stage to get it. Minevich kept the audience entertained by silently threatening to take over while Sawa was off stage.

© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2007

[Auburn Annie]

Music from the movies
'RSO Goes to the Movies' Conexus Arts Centre

Kelly-Anne Riess
The Leader-Post


Monday, March 26, 2007


It's a spine-tingling experience to hear live trumpets open the Rocky theme, "Gonna Fly Now."

Music adds a magical element to film.

"Could you imagine if you heard music from The Nutcracker during the chariot scene in Ben-Hur," said Victor Sawa, the Regina Symphony Orchestra's music director and conductor.

Sawa recalled how a friend wore out two Ben-Hur soundtracks because he loved the music so much.

But there's a big difference between listening to your favourite music on a CD and hearing it live.

On Saturday night at the Conexus Arts Centre, the RSO gave movie fans a chance to hear a number of their favourite movie tunes live as part of the Shumiatcher Pops Series.

From Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) to Superman Returns (2006) a lot of movie ground was covered.

Guitar player Jack Semple brought the house down, playing "If You Could Read My Mind" a Gordon Lightfoot tune from Paperback Hero and Jerry Reed's jazz-guitar piece, "The Claw."

Semple helped out with the Rocky music and also "Rock Around the Clock" from American Graffiti.

Hearing "Rock Around the Clock," a classic rock song, sounded a little unusual played by a symphony orchestra -- but it was unusual in a good way.

Helping out on bass guitar was Stephen McLellan, who is a principal with the RSO on double bass. Taking on both roles kept him hopping during James Horner's theme from Titanic.

McLellan helped out on double bass for the first half of the piece and then had to pick up the bass guitar for the conclusion.

The RSO also performed "Nearer My God To Thee." This hymn was said to have been played by the musicians on deck as the Titanic was sinking, but the story has since been dismissed as legend.

While the song is quite sad, the RSO added some humour to the piece. The stage was lowered as the orchestra played -- and oboe player Wing Lok Soo, dressed as a sea captain, stood and saluted the audience. Some RSO members wore life jackets.

Principal cello player Cameron Lowe did some impressive solo work during Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, bringing a lot of emotion to the piece.

Some of the musicians were dressed as movie characters. There was a pirate or two, a fairy -- and bass trombone player Ian Tulloch as a Bond girl.

Concertmaster Eduard Minevich came out at the beginning of the concert pointing a fake gun at the audience.

While some of the musicians had fun with costumes, few audience members came to the concert in costume -- which made it difficult to give prizes for best costume at intermission.

After the intermission, Sawa realized he had forgotten his baton.

"I've had a lot of things happen to me on stage over the years. I've worn my suspenders on the outside of my jacket. I've had my you-know-what down, but I've never forgotten my baton" Sawa said before he sprinted off-stage to get it. Minevich kept the audience entertained by silently threatening to take over while Sawa was off stage.

© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2007

[Borderstone]

That does sound like a blast!

I wonder if they know "Disco Duck" ? LOL! :D