Four years ago the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences held the “first” Oscars Concert at UCLA. It was wonderfully staged and featured live performances of all of the nominated scores and original songs (Jill Scott singing “Happy” was a highlight). Perhaps because of costs or the fact it didn’t sell out the Academy did not continue the event the following year. Now, in celebration of the 90th Academy Awards the Oscar Concert is getting another chance at redemption.
“Phantom Thead” score sheet music revealed by Johnny Greenwood
In partnership with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the 2018 Oscars Concert will be held at the famed Walt Disney Concert Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 8 PM sharp. It will begin with Michael Giacchino and Pete Docter explaining the composing process using their own film “Up” as an example (sounds like a bore, honestly). Then the rest of the program will find conductor Thomas Wilkins and special guests such as Terence Blanchard (trumpet) performing special arrangements of Oscar nominated scores from composers such as Tan Dun, Quincy Jones, Mica Levi, Rachel Portman and A.R. Rahman. The evening will end with the world premiere of “specially arranged suites” from this year’s five Original Score nominees, “Dunkirk” by Hans Zimmer, “Phantom Thread” by Jonny Greenwood, “The Shape of Water” by Alexandre Desplat, “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” by John Williams and “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” by Carter Burwell. Scenes from each film will accompany the music on the Walt Disney Hall’s HD screen.
The fact that no Original Songs are included in the program is somewhat disheartening, but maybe the LA Phil and the Academy have a surprise or two in the works.
The event is close to being sold out, but there are still some single seat tickets available for purchase here.
Here’s a list of the official program as noted by the Academy and the LA Phil in a press release today.
PROGRAM:
Introduction:
Oscar-winning composer Michael Giacchino and Oscar-winning director Pete Docter present a live demonstration of the scoring process. Musical selections from the Oscar-winning film “UP”
The Sound of Home:
Rachel Portman, “Nicholas Nickleby”
Nino Rota, “Amarcord”
A. R. Rahman, “Slumdog Millionaire”
The Sound of the Chase:
Dave Grusin, “The Firm”
Lalo Schifrin, “Bullitt”
Jerry Goldsmith, “The Great Train Robbery”
The Sound of Fear:
Mica Levi, “Jackie”
Quincy Jones, “In Cold Blood”
John Carpenter, “Halloween”
John Williams, “The Witches of Eastwick”
The Sound of Love
Erich Wolfgang Korngold, “The Adventures of Robin Hood”
Luis Bacalov, “Il Postino”
Tan Dun, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”
The Sound of Courage:
Terence Blanchard, “Malcolm X”
Joe Hisaishi, “Spirited Away”
Alex North, “Spartacus”
The Sound of the Future:
World premiere suites from this year’s nominated films for Original Score
Carter Burwell, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”
Alexandre Desplat, “The Shape of Water”
Jonny Greenwood, “Phantom Thread”
John Williams, “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”
Hans Zimmer, “Dunkirk”
