Night at the Movies Strikes Back, with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra
Return of A Night at the Movies – Symphonic Pops Series, Concert 2
Saturday 14 June, 7.30pm, Aotea Centre, THE EDGE
Last year’s A Night at the Movies concert by the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra proved so popular it’s returning to the Aotea Centre on Saturday 14 June. But this year it’s bigger. And better. Return of A Night at the Movies will be an evening of immense excitement for young and old – including an innovative competition to enthral budding filmmakers.
Of significance to Star Wars fans – the concert features a number of John Williams’ Star Wars pieces, including the iconic Star Wars theme, Across the Stars (Attack of the Clones), Throne Room (A New Hope) and Duel of the Fates (Phantom Menace; backed by a choir). According to John Williams, the inspiration for the theme of Duel of the Fates was an old Celtic poem called Cad Goddeu (The Battle of the Trees).
The concert is part of the APO’s Symphonic Pops Series and will be held at the Aotea Centre, THE EDGE, presenting a thrilling opportunity to here iconic film scores played live and loud by a full orchestra.
The concert features pieces from your favourite films, including Laurence of Arabia, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Star Wars, Lion King, Titanic, Pirates of the Caribbean, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Bodyguard, ET and many more. Return of a Night at the Movies will be conducted by Brett Kelly, who, continuing a stellar career conducting Australia’s leading orchestras, makes his debut with the APO.
This year the concert incorporates an innovative new competition called CUT TO: MUSIC. The competition invites film-makers to create a short-film to fit a prepared orchestral score. The winner will have their film screened at Return of A Night at the Movies with the score performed live by the full Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.
“CUT TO: MUSIC is not your typical short film competition, because it provides a unique challenge for directors used to fitting the score to images,” says Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra Chief Executive Barbara Glaser. “Cinema’s history, from its very beginning to the present day, is replete with examples of music directly inspiring scenes in movies. We encourage film directors from around the country to open their ears to music, and be led by what they hear.”
CUT TO: MUSIC brings together Tom McLeod, who is amongst New Zealand’s most prolific composers, having written music for orchestras, bands and the film and TV industry, and the APO, who has played in such film soundtracks as Desperate Remedies and Peter Jackson’s Heavenly Creatures.
“The APO’s Pops concerts are always exciting events, as they reach audiences beyond the classic concert hall,” says APO Chief Executive Barbara Glaser. “Return of A Night at the Movies is an evening of entertainment people of all ages can share, and a concert that promises more than a few surprises”.
Tickets to Return of a Night at the Movies (from $20-$65) are available from Ticketek, Ph 09 307 5139, www.ticketek.co.nz.
CUT TO: MUSIC competition entry forms and the competition score can be downloaded from www.apo.co.nz or by calling (09) 638 7073.
