Many classical composers have been seduced by cinema, none more so than Erich Korngold and Dmitri Shostakovich. Korngold was the first composer with international stature to compose for Hollywood. In Russia, Shostakovich was having similar success with the new medium.
There have also been film and TV composers lured to the concert hall. Known for his iconic scores for The Simpsons, Nightmare Before Christmas, Batman, and much more, Danny Elfman is a four-time Oscar nominee and one of the most revered composers in Hollywood. His violin concerto was written for our soloist, Sandy Cameron, who herself can be heard on numerous Hollywood soundtracks.
Whether writing for stage or screen, these composers’ music tells a story.
Fun Facts:
- Shostakovich wrote this first symphony at the age of 18 while working as a cinema pianist.
- Korngold, considered a child prodigy, composed his first opera at the age of 11.
Where Have I Heard It Before:
- The Sea Hawk was a 1940 film starring Errol Flynn. Other Flynn/Korngold films include Captain Blood, The Adventures of Robin Hood (which won the Oscar), The Private Lives of Elizabeth, and Essex.
Concert Length: Approximately 1 hour 50 minutes, with intermission.