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Beyond Earth: NMPhil kicks off Power Concert series with 'Bruckner Meets Sci-Fi!'
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The music of composer Anton Bruckner foreshadowed the sweeping styles of John Williams’ sci-fi symphonies.
The New Mexico Philharmonic’s opening Power Concert on Sunday, Oct. 13, will showcase Bruckner’s Symphony No. 4 paired with Williams’ “Flying Theme” from “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” and “Darth Vader’s Theme” from “Star Wars.” The concert takes place at Immanuel Presbyterian Church.
Richard Strauss’ tone poem “Also sprach Zarathustra,” otherwise known as the theme from “2001: A Space Odyssey,” will open the concert.
“I always open the Power Concerts with the Strauss,” said Roberto Minczuk, New Mexico Philharmonic music director. “People love that and enjoy hearing that. It’s classical music that made its way into pop culture.”
This year marks Bruckner’s 200th birthday.
“He’s a very important composer of classical music,” Minczuk said. “He’s admired in countries like Germany, Austria and the U.K. The sounds he created with his symphonies are out of this world.
“You have this extra-terrestrial feel with Bruckner’s music,” Minczuk continued. “He’s a very spiritual composer. He’s always seeking something beyond Earth.”
The concert marks the third season the orchestra has offered the power concerts, designed for listeners who know little about classical music or for those interested in learning more. Informality rules; no tuxes and tails for the musicians.
“These are concerts where we talk about the composer, we talk about the instruments,” Minczuk said.
“We always have families with children, so it’s quite an informal setting,” he added.
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The performances usually last just 60 to 70 minutes, compared to the more typical two-hour classical concerts.
