Auburn Symphony presents Masterworks I: Sounds of Hollywood

Lights. Camera. Vibraphone. Maestro Ryan Murray, select guest soloists and the Auburn Symphony present iconic Hollywood scores on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 4 and 5, at Placer High School. The two-hour concert spans decades of film history, from the nostalgic and romantic sounds of "Cinema Paradiso," the 1988 Oscar-winning foreign film, to the sweeping John Williams melodies that propel "Catch Me If You Can," the 2002 crime caper starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks. Of course, no orchestral performance of film scores would be complete without the theme from "Jurassic Park," also scored by the prolific John Williams. "If you turn off the music to a film, it's just not the same," said Keith Bohm, professor of saxophone at Sacramento State and guest soloist for the weekend performances. "People will come for those feelings they have of that scene in 'Jurassic Park.' We all have our own connection to it." Bohm, who is featured on "Escapades," the three movements at the heart of Spielberg's "Catch Me If You Can," is excited for his solo. The saxophone, he explained, is not often included in symphonies but has a prominent role in the 2002 film score. "It's always exciting for a saxophonist to play with an orchestra because we don't do it often," he said. "When you have all this massive sound behind you, the colors and textures, it's a really beautiful experience." Guest soloist Michael Downing, whose vibraphone accompanies the saxophone – often in unison – for much of "Escapades," shared a similar perspective. "A lot of times, percussion is always in the back providing support," he said. "But this piece features the vibraphone as a second soloist. It plays about 85 percent of the same notes as the solo saxophone." Bohm and Downing praised the atypical style of "Escapades." Known more for the heroic, sweeping scores behind such films as "Star Wars" and "Indiana Jones," Williams created "Escapades" with a subtler intrigue. "There's something so mysterious about it," Downing said. "The entire thing is built around being an outcast, so it has this dark twinge to it. It's so different for a John Williams score." Bohm agreed. "I love the mix of jazz and neo-romanticism – it's quite unique," he said. "You can see the film just by listening to it. How he portrays that is incredible." Both men are confident that feeling will connect with listeners, many of whom are familiar with the music of Williams, and other composers of Hollywood classics, through cultural osmosis alone. Though the names may not be familiar, the melodies and themes likely are. "All the Hollywood music is big and over the top," Downing said. "It's just so exuberant." For a full dose of exuberance, visit AuburnSymphony.com or the symphony office at 985 Lincoln Way, Suite 102, Auburn; call 530-823-6683; or email Office@AuburnSymphony.com.