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Home , Alfred Newman (composer), Bernard Herrmann, Catch Me If You Can, Franz Waxman

POPS THREE The Genius of America’s Movie Maestro SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2020 • 7:30 p.m. • MARK C. SMITH CONCERT HALL, VON BRAUN CENTER Huntsville Symphony Orchestra • GREGORY VAJDA, Music Director and Conductor

We’ve held our breath as a hero’s fate hangs in the balance. We’ve laughed, we’ve cried, we’ve begged for more – and the music of John Williams has brilliantly underscored each magical moment. The most celebrated film of our time, he has garnered 51 Academy Award nominations (second only to ), 5 Oscars, and 24 Grammy Awards. His is rated by the as the greatest American .

“Without John Williams,” says director Stephen Spielberg, “bikes don’t fly, and neither do brooms in Quidditch matches. There is no Force. We do not believe.” Tonight, the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra invites you to enjoy favorite selections from the wondrous workshop of America’s Movie Maestro.

S3, Inc. Pops Series Concert Sponsors: S 3 , INC. UBS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.

Special Production Sponsors: LORETTA SPENCER BILL PENNEY TOYOTA

28 • HSO SEASON 65 • SPRING The Star-Spangled Banner” (arranged by John Williams)

Tribute to the Film Composer (for the 2002 )

Theme from

Three Escapades for Saxophone & Orchestra from Catch Me If You Can I. Closing In II. Reflections III. Joy Ride Jonathan Noffsinger, alto saxophone

“The Duel” from The Adventures of Tintin

“Adventures on Earth” from E. T. the Extra-Terrestrial

INTERMISSION

“Quidditch Fanfare” from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

“Nimbus 2000” from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

“Harry’s Wondrous World” from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Scherzo for Motorcycle & Orchestra from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

“Raiders’ March” from

“The Adventures of Han” from Solo: A Star Wars Story

Star Wars: Symphonic Suite for Orchestra I. Princess Leia’s Theme II. Yoda’s Theme III. Imperial March

Tonight’s performance is presented in collaboration with our friends from the North Alabama Cosplayers Club and the 501st Legion.

HSO SEASON 65 • SPRING • 29 Soloist

Jonathan Noffsinger, alto saxophone • Gold Medalist in Saxophone Performance, Conservatoire Nationale de Bordeaux, France; First Prize, Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition • Solo performances throughout the U.S., Europe, and Japan; recordings on Sunrise Studies label • Professor of Saxophone and Jazz, Woodwind Coordinator, Director of Graduate Studies, University of Alabama, Moody School of Music Composer

John Williams In a career that spans five decades, John Williams has become one of America’s most accomplished and successful for film and for the concert stage. Mr. Williams has composed the music and served as music director for more than one hundred films and two hundred television episodes. Born and raised in New York, he moved to with his family in 1948, where he studied composition with Mario Castelnuovo- Tedesco. After service in the Air Force, he returned to New York to attend the , where he studied piano with Madame Rosina Lhevinne. While in New York, he also worked as a jazz pianist, both in nightclubs and on recordings. He returned to Los Angeles and began his career in the film industry, working with a number of accomplished composers including , , and ; he is best known for his long and fruitful partnership with director .

Williams has served as music director and laureate conductor of one of the country’s treasured musical institutions, the Boston Pops Orchestra, and he maintains thriving artistic relationships with many of the world’s great orchestras, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony, and the . Mr. Williams has received a variety of prestigious awards, including the National Medal of Arts, the Kennedy Center Honor, the Olympic Order, and numerous Academy Awards, Grammy Awards, Emmy Awards, and Golden Globe Awards. He remains one of our nation’s most distinguished and contributive musical voices.

30 • HSO SEASON 65 • SPRING