A-LISTS rage rhythms
A certain amount of television and film viewers may not instantly recognize his
name. Yet, Bill Conti has left his musical mark in entertainment history with his song
and theme for Rocky called “Gotta Fly Now, the theme and song called “For Your
Eyes Only” from the James Bond film of the same name and his Oscar-winning
motion picture score for The Right Stuff. Conti is also the composer of the theme
for one of television’s most popular shows called Dynasty. In 1986-1987, nine of
his television theme songs were on the air. These were the themes for Dynasty,
Falcon Crest, Cagney & Lacey, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, Ohara, The Colbys
and three additional shows...this is a television record that no other composer
has accomplished in his or her career. Conti will bring his baton and his excel-
lent musical skills to join the San Diego Symphony for two nights on January
22 and 23. Together, they will perform a sparkling selection of Academy
Award-winning music.
Bill Conti has an incredible history associated with the Academy Awards.
His first time conducting for the awards was in 1977. Conti adds, “That’s
correct. You do understand that the nature of that position is that the
producer will get to pick who he wants. Over the years I’ve done it 19
times. The guy who is in second place (as far as years conducting for The
Academy Awards) is Johnny Green who has done it ten times.”
There is a tremendous amount of music to organize and put together
for the yearly awards ceremony in quite a short time. Conti elaborates
on the whole process, “The preparation can only begin with the
nominees, when the nominees come out. John Green began this
format in the 1950s when it went to television. He would take
a theme from all the nominated movies and have it prepared.
Just in case, when they say the name of the winner, then the
orchestra plays that particular melody. It’s an expensive deal
because there only is going to be that one winner yet all that
music has got to be printed, copied and rehearsed…just in case it
wins. Some of them will just never get played. Then there are the
specialty numbers. The music branch insists that the nominated
songs be sung. You can’t shortchange the songs even if they are
not memorable songs.”
As you can well imagine, over the years Conti has performed
and rehearsed with some of the finest vocalists from the world
of film and music. He shares just the tip of the iceberg as to
whom he has worked with. “Well…Barbra Streisand, Placido
Domingo…everybody. Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion,
Bill Conti: All The Right Stuff
Madonna… I don’t know who was big but if they came to The Academy Award
show, I worked with them. It was great. You gotta know. Celine Dion, in the very
ACADEMY AWARD-WINNING MuSIC
beginning [of her career] came in with her husband René. Sweet guy and Celine
WITH THE SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY by bill biss
is the best. I couldn’t tell you what movie it was for. Very sweet people. Now…the
last time she came in, she came with her dress designer, her pilot, the guy with
the record company (laughter). She had an entourage. It was just…when you gram. The other thing is that it can’t be boring. Like Lassie has a thorn in her paw
look back and she wasn’t a star in the beginning. Then all of a sudden…the pilot and then the music…ahhh. I hate that. In other words, background music that
is there, etc. Still a sweet person, don’t get me wrong. In other words, if she made really functions well with the picture, sometimes doesn’t function well outside
an attitude change, it would be a better story, but she didn’t…but her entourage the picture. If I think it’s dreary, I just can’t bring it, even if it’s from a great movie. So,
got huge!” the other music will be from Oscar-winning songs and movies. You bet! It makes
This upcoming concert of Academy Award-winning songs and scores marks Bill the orchestra shine so that’s fun too. If you like movies, you’re going to hear some
Conti’s first time to San Diego. What does he have in store for the performances? great themes and scores. I’m looking forward to it.”
“Let’s take the premise. The first time I personally go someplace, I think I’m ex-
pected to bring some of my music. The Rocky stuff will be there. The television A Night At the AcAdemy AwArds with Bill coNti
themes that I’ve done over the years will be there. The Right Stuff and “For Your And the san diego symphony on January 22 and 23
Eyes Only” will be there. My material is definitely going to be there for the first
sandiegosymphony.com
time. If I came back to San Diego in less than two years, I couldn’t do the same pro- Box office: 619.235.0804
16 RAGE monthly | january 2010
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80