The Rise of Film Music in American Concert Life

Since John Williams became the music director of the Boston Pops in 1981, film music has played an increasingly prominent role in American concert programming. Williams not only featured his own acclaimed film scores, but also highlighted the work of pioneering European and American composers who shaped the golden age of Hollywood music. This article explores the evolution of film music's recognition and integration into the classical music landscape, as well as the lasting impact of Williams' leadership in elevating the genre.

Elevating the Art of Film Music

The Emergence of Film Music Scholarship

In the early years of the talking picture era, film music was often overlooked by serious music critics and scholars. However, a gradual shift began in the late 1940s, with the publication of the first academic analysis of a film score, Hugo Friedhofer's work for The Best Years of Our Lives. Over the following decades, a growing body of literature and recordings brought greater attention to the artistry and complexity of film music, from the elaborate scores of composers like Miklos Rozsa to the iconic themes of Bernard Herrmann and Henry Mancini.

John Williams' Influence on American Orchestras

John Williams' tenure as the Boston Pops' music director marked a pivotal moment in the integration of film music into the American concert experience. By programming excerpts from his own acclaimed film scores, as well as those of the composers he admired, Williams helped make film music a regular feature in the repertoires of orchestras nationwide. The annual John Williams Film Night at Tanglewood has become one of the most popular events, drawing large crowds and necessitating the addition of a second performance in 2023 to accommodate demand.

The Expanding Appreciation for Film Music

The growing appreciation for film music has manifested in various ways, from the inclusion of film music critics in record review magazines to the publication of in-depth studies on the lives and works of composers like Herrmann and Korngold. Publishers have also begun issuing books that provide detailed analyses of the scores associated with major films, further expanding the academic and critical discourse around this art form.

The Enduring Legacy of Film Music Pioneers

John Williams' programming choices have not only highlighted his own contributions to the genre, but also shone a spotlight on the pioneering work of earlier film music composers. The Tanglewood program featured selections from the scores of Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Alex North, Henry Mancini, and Leonard Bernstein, among others, underscoring the rich history and lasting influence of these musical trailblazers.

The Versatility and Artistry of Film Music

The Tanglewood program showcased the remarkable versatility and artistry of film music, from the sweeping grandeur of Korngold's The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex to the rhythmic energy of Mancini's The Great Waldo Pepper. The inclusion of visual elements, such as film clips, further enhanced the audience's experience, allowing them to appreciate the seamless integration of music and visuals that is the hallmark of great film scoring.

The Enduring Appeal of John Williams' Compositions

The second half of the Tanglewood program was devoted entirely to the music of John Williams, highlighting the enduring popularity and artistic merit of his film scores. From the soaring Superman March to the iconic themes from the Star Wars trilogy, Williams' compositions have become deeply embedded in the cultural consciousness, transcending their original cinematic contexts to become beloved concert staples.

The Passing of the Baton: Honoring the Next Generation

The Tanglewood program also featured the participation of Ken-David Masur, the son of the late German conductor Kurt Masur, and David Newman, the son of renowned Hollywood composer Alfred Newman. This intergenerational collaboration not only paid tribute to the film music pioneers of the past, but also signaled the continued evolution and passing of the baton to the next generation of composers and conductors who will shape the future of this dynamic art form.