John Williams: Maestro of the Movies 40th Anniversary Celebration @ The Hollywood Bowl

The most coveted event of the Hollywood Bowl season was extra special this year as prolific composer John Williams celebrated his 40th year at the iconic venue. Having conducted the Los Angeles Philharmonic for the first time on July 28, 1978 for an ill Arthur Fiedler, Williams has often returned to thrill audiences with his talent as both conductor and composer. (He went on to replace Fieldler at the Boston Pops two years later and served as its Principal Conductor until 1993.)

This year there was an added treat as he and legendary director Steven Spielberg celebrated a 45-year working relationship. At the concert Spielberg hosted the the sequence devoted to his films with Williams conducted some of his most famous Spielberg collaborations.

The first half of the evening began with composer David Newman conducting five William's pieces and two Leonard Bernstein pieces: "Overture from 'West Side Story'" and "Suite from 'On the Waterfront.'" A number of these were accompanied by montages or the actual sequence from the film, such as "The Cave Sequence" from "Raiders of the Lost Ark," that showed the film sans pre-recorded score so the L.A. Philharmonic could play the score live.

After a brief intermission, the beloved Williams came out to a standing ovation followed by Spielberg. "If the movies are like lightning," Spielberg told the audience of 17,000, "then the music written for them is the thunder. Because there is no better marriage of mediums than film and music."

This portion of the evening gave the audience such pieces as "With Malice Toward None" from "Lincoln" with a gorgeous trumpet solo from Thomas Hooten; the theme from "Schindler's List" with a splendid violin solo from Bing Wang; as well as a montage of swashbuckling duels set the score of "The Adventures of Tintin."

But it was two of Spielberg's most cherished adventures that got special treatment. To explain just how much music means to a film, Spielberg played the opening sequence from "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" where a the late River Phoenix plays a young Indiana Jones escaping some baddies via a circus train car. First, the audience watched the sequence without music. Amusing, yes, but as Spielberg admits, it ends up seeming a bit long. But when the sequence was replayed with Williams' music underscoring the scene, it illustrated beautifully just how intrinsic music is to film.

To end the evening, Spielberg introduced the final reel of arguably his greatest film "E.T. The Extra Terrestrial," in which Williams' conducted every note as we all teared up and said goodbye to our favorite alien. Even more of a treat was watching Spielberg watch his own movie while his composer live-conducted the score.

Of course, Williams came out for two encores in which he played selections from "Star Wars," including "The Imperial March" which had everyone in the Bowl waving their lightsabers with joy; which perfectly symbolized the evening. A legendary composer, a beloved director, and music adored by generations. All taking place under the stars that Spielberg and Williams have magically taken us beyond.

"John Williams: Maestro of the Movies 40th Anniversary Celebration!" played Aug 30-Sept 2 at the Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles. For upcoming events at the Bowl visit www.hollywoodbowl.com