Great, now we have to do this with Danny Elfman.

Our last trip to Tanglewood this summer was a good one.

Last night, five of us--April, Ryan, Danielle, Ryan, and Sara headed over for the annual Film Night at Tanglewood, where John Williams and the Boston Pops perform film scores. Last night's show consisted of a couple of themes--Hollywood's "Golden Age," and a tribute to the films of Steven Spielberg. Hosting the night's show was Robert Osborne, who hosts Turner Classic Movies.

This concert was our birthday present to Danielle, and I'm hoping she enjoyed herself. I know the rest of us did.

Before the show started, as is the custom at Tanglewood for most of the weekend shows there, there was also a short Prelude Concert at Ozawa Hall. Prelude concerts normally consist of just three or so musicians performing some chamber music. While April and Ryan stayed behind on the lawn of the Shed, Danielle, Sara and I headed over to Ozawa, and we were treated with a couple of piano trios by Robert Schumann, both consisting of a pianist, a violinist and a cellist:

1) Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor, Op. 63
a) Mit Energie und Leidenschaft
b) Lebhaft, doch nicht zu rasch
c) Langsam, mit inniger Empfindung
d) Mit Feuer

2) Piano Trio No. 2 in F Major, Op. 80
a) Sehr Iebhaft
b) Mit innigem Ausdruck
c) In massiger Bewegung
d) Nicht zu rasch

Both pieces were beautiful, and I always enjoy seeing the musicians really get into the work--it's as enjoyable listening to the pieces as they are watching the musicians get into their instruments. Dramatic. My only complaint came during the 2nd piano trio--I can certainly appreciate when a violinist really gets into the music, but I'm not supposed to hear your heavy breathing over the music. It almost sounds as if you're going to need a post-sex cigarette afterward. Unfortunately, the constant dramatic breathing detracted from the music.

After that short concert, it was back to the Shed for eating, feasting, drinking, and birthday cake. Then, Mr. Williams and the Pops began the night, and the show was as follows:

First half: Hollywood's Golden Age

1) Whiting (arr. Williams): "Hooray for Hollywood"

2) Waxman: Suite from "Sunset Boulevard"

3) Herrmann: Scene d'Amour from "Vertigo"

4) North: Forest Meeting and March from "Spartacus"

5) Goldsmith: "Chinatown"

6) Jarre: "Lawrence of Arabia"

--intermission--

Second Half: Celebrating Steven Spielberg

7) Williams: Two Selections from "Jaws"
a) Theme
b) Barrel Chase Sequence

8) Williams: Excerpts from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind"

9) Williams: Two Selections with the Boston University Tanglewood Institute Chorus
a) Exultate Justi from "Empire of the Sun"
b) Dry Your Tears, Afrika from "Amistad"

10) Williams: March from "1941"

11) Williams: Theme from "Schindler's List"

12) Williams: A Tribute to Steven Spielberg
a) Medley featuring themes from "Close Encounters," "Jaws," "Jurassic Park," "Munich," and "E.T."

13) Encore--Williams: Theme from "Indiana Jones"

A wonderful night, and a nice way to end our Tanglewood trips. Thanks, Sara, for coming--be sure to return next year.

Happy birthday, Danielle. Hope you had fun. :)