Music and Film Nights in the Province of Cordoba 2021 – Summary
The Orquesta de Córdoba conducted by Salvador Vázquez, has performed five film music concerts this month of July in diverse towns of the province of Córdoba.
Curro Martín attended the concert held in Montilla and tells us about it in this special article exclusively for SoundTrackFest.
MUSIC AND FILM NIGHTS - MONTILLA
Last Saturday, July 24, I was able to attend the concert of the Orquesta de Córdoba conducted by Salvador Vázquez performed at the Plaza Puerta de Montilla in Montilla, Córdoba, which belonged to the cycle “Music and Film Nights”, a series of concerts in 5 towns of the province.
The new location of the show in Montilla, responded to the cancellation of the same concert in Santaella because of the current health situation.
I arrived at the site 2 hours before the performance and I could listen during the soundcheck to a fragment of the famous “Raider’s March” from the Indiana Jones saga composed by John Williams, noting the good acoustics of the place (being an outdoor venue) and the professional adaptability of the musicians and the conductor of the formation to get an excellent performance with a basic staff and a scarce amplification, in addition to pointing out the magnificent work of the sound technicians.
The concert began punctually in a full venue after the presentation of the glamorous Susana Córdoba, who commented anecdotes and curiosities of the films between each block. In addition to the suites by Williams, those by Danny Elfman, Hans Zimmer, Klaus Badelt, James Horner, and Henry Mancini were included. As a note, although it was written in the program, the suite from “Star Wars” was not played.
The concert was short but intense and with a good rhythm (the only negative thing was that there was no encore, leaving people wanting more…). To comment a bit on the most remarkable parts, the quality of the arrangements and the know-how of the musicians were outstanding.
In Williams’ “Harry Potter” the role of the celesta was assigned to the piano, which did not detract from the magic of the score. The challenge of Elfman’s “Spiderman”, which for any other orchestra would have required large percussion and reinforcement of the other sections, was met by clever control of dynamics. The bicycle soared again in “E.T.”, and the strings roared with the spiccato of “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Gladiator”.
There were other great moments of which I would like to highlight the exciting “Apollo 13” (special mention to the trumpet soloist) and “Titanic” (beautiful and lyrical woodwinds…) by the late James Horner.
Mancini’s “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”, with a sophisticated atmosphere and jazz flavor, was the finishing touch. The projections on two screens with scenes from the films were a plus throughout the event.
In short, I would like to convey my wish that a symphonic institution of the level of the Orquesta de Córdoba could include more film music in their season, recovering the importance of this genre locally as in past decades. It is a gap that needs to be filled and also, something that the public demands, looking at the good response of this summer cycle with absolutely packed venues… Surely there is a will to make it happen!
Article and pictures by Curro Martin
