Adam Stern -
    Classical Composers in Film:
    The Evolution of a New Medium

Audio from this event:

• Part 1
• Part 2
• Part 3
• Part 4

Adam Stern Lights Up the Night at Recent SCA Event Those lucky enough to be in attendance at the September 25th SCA event "Classical Composers in Film" were in for a treat. The guest speaker was Seattle conductor Adam Stern. And for the better part of two hours, Adam had the audience eating out of the palm of his hand. With an engaging blend of humorous anecdotes, deft performance, and insightful analysis, Adam discussed the contributions made to the field of film-scoring by some of the 20th century's most noted classical composers, including Ralph Vaughn-Williams, Dimitri Shostakovich, Aaron Copland, and Leonard Bernstein. He played recorded examples of the composers' early works, and showed how each one later brought his own unique voice to the art of film music. Just as often, he would turn to the piano and pound out a memorable passage to better illustrate a musical point Stern then spoke at length about one of his own film-scoring heroes, the legendary Bernard Hermann, and shed light on interesting aspects of Hermann's personal style - ending with a hilariously raucous, Brooklyn-accented impersonation of the composer that brought the house down. Responding to the audience's enthusiastic reception of his performance, Stern has promised to come back for an encore. Stay tuned for word of this thoroughly entertaining speaker's return gig!

Stan Wentzel October 2, 2001

 
Adam Stern has been a vital member of Seattle's musical life since 1992. As Seattle Symphony's Assistant Conductor (1992 - 1996) and Associate Conductor (1996 - 2001) he has conducted numerous concerts in virtually every Symphony series including Masterpiece, Mozart, Baroque, Popular Culture, Pops, Discover Music and Music of our Time. As Music Director for the Northwest Chamber Orchestra (1994 - 2000) he has consistently introduced new "unheard" works from pre-Baroque to the present. In 1995, Seattle Times Music critic, Melinda Bargreen bestowed an "Innovative Programming Award" on Stern and the NWCO.

As a composer, Stern's works have included theatrical scores for Seattle Repertory Theater and A Contemporary Theater, as well as works for chamber music for Rainier Chamber Winds. As a producer, his credits include over 100 CD recordings with various orchestras, soloists and ensembles, and in 1990 he won a Grammy Award as "Classical Producer of the Year."

Film scoring has always been a strong interest for Mr. Stern. He has conducted several concerts in Seattle featuring music used in or written for film, including works for Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho" by Bernard Hermann.

 

General Public:	$10
SCA Associate Members:	$5
SCA Full Members:	No Charge

2001 Past Events