ABS-CBN Philharmonic presents ‘The Magic of John Williams’

ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra

Gerard Salonga, the music director and conductor of the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, likened a film score to an “unseen” actor—a cinematic element that helps stir emotions without the need for words. And a particularly good one, he pointed out, does just that without the viewer noticing that it was there all along!

“Music is very important in a film, because it’s one of the things that pushes the audience over the edge, emotionally. But doing it right is quite tricky. You’re not supposed to recognize it while you’re watching… It’s only after the movie’s done that you’ll realize that, wow, the music was fantastic!” he told the Inquirer at a press conference.

In that regard, the works of celebrated American composer-conductor John Williams remain  barometers of excellence. In fact, Salonga said, Williams’ musical scores are so great they’re sometimes better than the movies they’re used in.

“What’s more remarkable about his pieces is that they stand alone so well even without the movie,” Salonga said of Williams, whose most iconic and popular compositions could be heard in the “Star Wars” series, the first two “Jaws” movies, “Saving Private Ryan,” and “Schindler’s List.”

The ABS-CBN Philharmonic will showcase the music of the renowned musical scorer in “The Magic of John Williams,” tomorrow at Solaire’s The Theatre (call 8919999).

It will feature pieces from the aforementioned movies, as well as “Superman,” “Jurassic Park,” “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and “E.T.” The musical event will likewise feature vocalists Jose Mari Chan, Nikki Gil and Morissette Amon.

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GERARD Salonga