A few months ago I excavated from a basement closet a box of my old albums. I wasn’t surprised to rediscover that a large portion of them fell into the category of movie soundtracks. The oldest one was for Jaws. It may have been the first album I ever bought with my own money, way back in 1975. The unforgettable, simply evoked dread of the famous theme predicted a brilliant career for its composer, John Williams (pictured), just as the decision to proceed with such a minimalist score signaled the genius of director Steven Spielberg.
Not far behind in age and permanence in my brain—and the brain of virtually every other cinemagoer of that era—was the soundtrack for Star Wars. Saturday Night Fever was in there, too, though I may have moved to 8-track by the time it was released. I listen to The Godfather from time to time. And the collection still builds, through Blade Runner, Mike Oldfield’s orchestral version of his “Tubular Bells” used in The Exorcist, Hans Zimmer’s simultaneously opulent and haunting score for Gladiator, and too many others to name here.
The Louisville Orchestra, under the baton of Music Director Teddy Abrams, presents a free concert on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, at 8:00 p.m. at the Iroquois Amphitheater (near the intersection of New Cut Road and Kenwood Drive).
The program, sponsored by Brown-Forman and LG&E, is for the entire family, Teddy leads the LO in a wide variety of music including classical (Symphony No. 9 by Antonín Dvořák), bluegrass (Pando by Jeremy Kittel), traditional (Amazing Grace), and film (Star Wars by John Williams). The concert closes with the 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky.
Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and no tickets are required. Parking is free. Come early! There is potential that this performance will reach capacity.
The Harry Potter Film Concert Series returns to The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts with Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in Concert, the fourth film in the Harry Potter series. On Saturday, July 6 at 7PM and Sunday, July 7 at 3PM, YOUR Louisville Orchestra will perform the magical score live from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire while the entire film plays in high-definition on a 40-foot screen.(more…)
The Louisville Orchestra Board of Directors, together with CEO, Robert Massey, are pleased to announce an unprecedented 5-year contract to extend the term of Teddy Abrams as Music Director. This extension from the usual 3-year contract renewal shows the organization’s confidence in the artistic direction and creative vision of the young conductor. “We’re thrilled to make this extraordinary commitment to engaging Teddy until the 2024-2025 Season. His vision for the renaissance of the arts for our orchestra and our community is unique in the world,“ says John P. Malloy, President of the LO Board of Directors. Abrams was named Music Director of the Louisville Orchestra in 2014, the youngest conductor ever named to that position with a major orchestra. He’s become a popular figure throughout Louisville while developing a national reputation for innovation and community building.(more…)
The Louisville Orchestra is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert Massey as Chief Executive Officer. He will start hisnew position in March 2019. Massey follows Andrew Kipe in this leadership role. Kipe took a position with The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland in August 2018. Mr. Massey has built a reputation as one of classical music’s most innovative, dynamic, visionary, and entrepreneurial leaders. As the head of the Jacksonville Symphony (2014 – 2019), Orchestra Iowa (2008 – 2014), and the Washington Bach Consort (2004 – 2008), he led remarkable transformations at each, developing and implementing innovative strategies that enhanced and diversified program offerings, increased accessibility, extended reach, deepened impact, and ensured financial sustainability.(more…)
In the second of his one-piece programs, Teddy Abrams deconstructs and explores the miraculous construction of the final symphony of Romantic Era German composer Johannes Brahms (1833-1897). JOHANNES BRAHMS: Symphony No. 4 Teddy Abrams, conductor(more…)
A few months ago I excavated from a basement closet a box of my old albums. I wasn’t surprised to rediscover that a large portion of them fell into the category of movie soundtracks. The oldest one was for Jaws. It may have been the first album I ever bought with my own money, way back in 1975. The unforgettable, simply evoked dread of the famous theme predicted a brilliant career for its composer, John Williams (pictured), just as the decision to proceed with such a minimalist score signaled the genius of director Steven Spielberg.
