Here is your best bet this weekend in LA (8/31-9/2):
With a three-day weekend, it’s good that the LA Philharmonic and the Hollywood Bowl are offering up three opportunities to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of John Williams at the venue. The concerts begin tonight and run through Sunday.
Williams, who is 86, will be conducing the second half of the program. David Newman, who has conducted Williams’ scores for Jaws, and two Star Wars movies earlier this season, will be on the podium for the first half. Steven Spielberg will be joining for all three nights as well.
That is fitting as Williams has scored countless movies for him. Their collaboration goes back to 1974’s The Sugarland Express and includes such films as 1941, Always, Hook, A.I.: Artificial Intelligence, War Horse and Lincoln. (You know the big movies, why list them again?)
Amongst the other directors for whom Williams has written scores are Mark Rydell, Robert Altman, Alfred Hitchcock, Brian De Palma, George Miller, Oliver Stone and some guy named Lucas.
If you attend any one of these concerts and are so-inclined, you might want to bring a light saber. I assure you that when the inevitable piece or pieces from any of the Star Wars films get performed, there will be hundreds of light sabres lighting up the Bowl.
Today it was announced that Williams and his wife, Samantha, have made a contribution to the LA Philharmonic’s Centennial Campaign. So as he celebrates his 40th anniversary, he’s also giving back.
Congratulations Mr. Williams on 40 years at the Hollywood Bowl.
Photo courtesy of the LA Philharmonic