We were taken from the TEA to the Music Auditorium for the first big orchestral concert of the festival. After getting a few drinks in the lobby, we got our seats (front row), and the program began with Mark Snow conducting his own music from Millennium, The X-Files, and Crazy in Alabama.
It was great hearing some pieces with full orchestra (and choir), like the “Main Theme” from Millennium, and “Surgery” and “Crossroads” from The X-Files.
Next up was music from John Ottman’s films, with Valkyrie, Superman Returns, Fantastic Four and a new selection of music from Astro Boy performed. Since Astro Boy was just recorded two weeks ago in London, this probably marks the fastest scoring session-to-concert performance turnaround time ever!
After intermission, the second half of the program focused exclusively on the works of Oscar-winning composer Jan A.P. Kaczmarek. Finding Neverland, Quo Vadis, and War & Peace were among the selections performed. The concert was filmed, and there was a camera on a boom mike that was swinging all over the auditorium. Sometimes it would get a little too close – some people in the front row were tempted to kick it!
It was a good concert overall, and after it ended, we all headed outside to walk to the cocktail party at a nearby restaurant.
