Philharmonic & the Fourth Tradition Continues
By Josh Mcauliffe, The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.
Jul. 3–A Fourth of July without the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic would be like a Fourth of July without fireworks or hotdogs.
The deeply ingrained local tradition continues when the Philharmonic presents its annual Independence Day concerts tonight at PNC Field in Moosic and Friday at Wilkes-Barre’s Kirby Park.
Both of the free concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. As always, each show will go on rain or shine and culminate with a big, splashy fireworks extravaganza.
This year’s program will include the usual patriotic favorites, including “The Star Spangled Banner,”"Battle Hymn of the Republic,”"Stars and Stripes Forever,”"Armed Forces Salute” and the beginning and ending sections of “The 1812 Overture.”
Other highlights of the show will be a Duke Ellington medley, Aaron Copland’s “Saturday Night Waltz,” Victor Herbert’s “American Fantasy,” John Philip Sousa’s “Liberty Bell March” and several compositions by popular movie composer John Williams, including “Superman March,” from “Superman,”"Hymn to the Fallen,” from “Saving Private Ryan,” and “Raiders March,” from the Indiana Jones films.
The latter selection is particularly timely given the fourth installment in the series, “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” hit theaters this summer.
“Any time I get a chance to, I put him (Mr. Williams) in, because I really like his music,” said Philharmonic music director Lawrence Loh, noting a show dedicated to Mr. Williams’ music was the only one he was unable to attend during his first year with the Philharmonic.
“John Williams is a super famous Hollywood composer. But he’s also a very serious composer,” Mr. Loh said. “I think a lot of people recognize his music. We thought it would be great to feature him on some level at this concert.”
All in all, Mr. Loh believes the show will make for a grand musical celebration of the nation’s founding.
“We think that kind of stuff goes really well with the theme of outdoor fun and excitement,” Mr. Loh said. “This is all sort of music to get people in the patriotic feeling.”
Contact the writer: jmcauliffe@timesshamrock.com If you go
What: Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic annual Independence Day concerts
When and Where: Today at PNC Field, Moosic, and Friday at Kirby Park, Wilkes-Barre. Both shows begin at 7:30 p.m.
Details: Admission is free, and fireworks will begin at dusk following each performance. For additional information, visit www.nepaphil.org.
—–
To see more of The Times-Tribune or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/.
Copyright (c) 2008, The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.