Interview: John Wilson
Ranging from Gone With The Wind to Star Wars, John Wilson talks to Joe Fuller about what to expect from his ‘Music from the Movies’ Brighton Dome concert
What is it about film scores that reaches a wider audience than a lot of other classical music? Is it familiarity, joviality or length for example?
We play very few film scores in the JWO – probably only a dozen or so. The core of our repertoire has always been song – either from Broadway or the Hollywood film musicals.
That said, our current tour programme contains a number of what you might call ‘classic’ films scores from the Golden Age (Korngold, Waxman etc) which are immediately attractive and engaging and full of good tunes – that may account for their popularity.
Do you see your recordings and concerts as a way of bridging the pop/classical divide?
No, not at all. I record a Cole Porter song in much the same way I’d record some Elgar or Vaughan Williams. It’s all real music – the only thing that separates the genres is the style.
Anyone can come to our concerts – there is absolutely no age limit and no etiquette
I saw you at the Proms last year performing Frank Sinatra and other swing music with Seth MacFarlane. The sharpness and volume of the brass live really opened my ears as to how great the music can be. Is there anything particular in music from the movies that a live orchestra can illuminate or enliven?
There is nothing quite like the thrill of hearing an orchestra playing live. Come to our concert!
What is it like conducting an orchestra of 80 players?
Exhilarating, uplifting, exhausting.
What is it that drew you to including a jazz band in the orchestra rather than sticking to a traditional setup?
The repertoire demands this – all of the Golden Age film musicals require a compliment of saxophones, dance band brass and rhythm instruments.
I attended a sci-fi film score evening put on the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and was happy to see how much more mixed the crowd was age-wise. Are children encouraged to attend your concerts? Would you suggest a minimum age?
Anyone can come to our concerts – there is absolutely no age limit and no etiquette. Just turn up, turn your phone off and listen.
What can we expect from the Brighton concert? Can you give us an idea of some of the Hollywood film scores and Oscar winning songs that you’ll be performing?
A very wide range of scores and songs from a fifty year period – 1930s to 1980s – as diverse as our suite from the Tom and Jerry cartoons, Gone With The Wind, Star Wars, songs from Funny Girl, Gigi etc. It’s a long old list…!
John Wilson & The John Wilson Orchestra: Music from the Movies, Concert Hall, Brighton Dome,
Thursday 1 December, 7pm, £33-£49
brightondome.org
01273 709709
