Conductor Erich Kunzel, a long-time friend of Star Wars composer John Williams, has integrated the now iconic music from the six films into the Star Wars Concert, a pops show that will be debut with the TSO, and feature the Mississauga Choral Society, on June 28 and 29.
British actor Anthony Daniels, who voices the role of persnickety protocol android C-3PO in the films, will narrate the concert.
Though some initially accused Williams's original Star Wars score of being derivative of Richard Wagner's Ring Cycle, over the years the Star Wars theme has become one of the most recognizable classical music works around the world. Many critics have also conceded and praised Williams's use of leitmotifs – which he uses to evoke made-up places like Tatooine as well as characters like Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader or Boba Fett. His music is now seen as an integral part of the emotional and storytelling thrust of the films.
Anthony Daniels, who voices the role of C-3PO in the films, will narrate the concert. (Photo courtesy Toronto Symphony Orchestra).
Kunzel, long-time conductor for the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and a frequent guest conductor with the TSO, has previously presented Williams's film compositions as part of his pops concerts and tours around the world. With the CPO, he has recorded a variety of television specials and a host of award-winning albums – featuring everything from the music of the Beatles to Hollywood scores to Broadway classics.
Kunzel has said that pops performances help introduce younger audiences to symphony concerts as well as provide an entertaining evening for the older audiences who are typically the permanent subscribers to orchestras.
Tickets for the two concerts at Toronto's Roy Thomson Hall will go on sale Wenesday, with prices ranging from $25 to $90. Following the sole Canadian dates, Kunzel will take the concert on the road in the U.S. to orchestras in Chicago, Seattle, Cleveland, Denver and Cincinnati.
