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2002–3 Archive: Elmer Bernstein Chosen to Receive King Vidor Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement 10th Annual San Louis Obispo Film Festival Anniversary Salutes Academy Award-winning Composer Elmer Bernstein received the King Vidor Memorial Award for lifetime achievement at a black-tie gala ceremony Sunday, October 27th, 2002 at the historic Fremont Theatre in San Luis Obispo. As part of the evening's festivities, a screening of "To Kill a Mockingbird" followed the award presentation. The festival, headed by Mary Harris, also presented a recently-restored "Sweet Smell of Success" and "The Magnificent Seven" as part of its regular festival programming. James C. Katz, film producer and one of the world's leading film restorers, presented the award to Elmer Bernstein. For additional Festival programming, please call (805) 546-3456 or visit the Festival web site at http://www.slofilmfest.org. Bernstein Performs October 9th with the Prestigious London Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Royal Albert Hall Special 80th Birthday Celebration Features a Surprise "Encore" Elmer Bernstein, who was invited by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to conduct a program of his own compositions at London's Royal Albert Hall on Wednesday, October 9, 2002, had quite a surprise awaiting him following his scheduled encore of "The Great Escape." Known to British audiences as the theme song for UK's football league, "The Great Escape" theme culminated an evening of both Bernstein's favorite film themes and two original pieces for orchestra, "Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra" (Christopher Parkening, solosit) and "Ondine at the Cinema" (Cynthia Millar, soloist). As the Maestro was gesturing to members of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to stand and bow, "This Is Your Life" host Michael Aspel, carrying his definitive red book and followed by a cameraman, appeared in the orchestra area of the audience and began slowly walking toward the stage. The crowd went wild. "I was thinking, 'Perhaps you should have prepared a second encore,' when, to my delight, Mr. Aspel announced his onstage raison d'être, and I was whisked off to the television studios for the program," stated an elated Bernstein. "What a thrilling surprise." The program featured celebrated guests Alan and Marilyn Bergman, the world famous song writing team, "My Left Foot" producer Noel Pearson, director John Landis ("Animal House," "An American Werewolf in London," "The Blues Brothers," "Trading Places," among others, featured Bernstein scores) and actor James Fox who co-starred in "Thoroughly Modern Millie," among many others. "This Is Your Life" airs on BBC1 and is scheduled for a January, 2003 release. Stayed tuned! EATM Honors Elmer Bernstein with Lifetime Achievement Award Academy Award-winning composer Elmer Bernstein and Fleetwood Mac Founder and drummer Mick Fleetwood were honored for lifetime achievement at this year's Emerging Artists and Technology in Music (EATM) conference. On hand for panels and discussions at the conference that ran May 29–31 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, were Ark 21 Records CEO Miles Copeland, EMI Recorded Music senior vp Jay Samit, composer James Newton Howard, Universal Music Group/Universal Pictures president of film music Kathy Nelson and music executive Lou Mann. Bernstein was surprised and delighted when a birthday cake was wheeled out in his honor and a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday greeted him. Sergio Puccini Presents the Latin American Premier of Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra by Elmer Bernstein May 12, 2002 | Click here for the entire review by Santos Cantoni. 05.02 Maestro Bernstein Returns to Scotland for Special Birthday Honor
Elmer Bernstein Day—April 14, 2002 Declared by the City Newport Beach, California City Proclamation and Honor Presented in Conjunction with The Newport Beach Film Festival's Composer Symposium and "To Kill A Mockingbird" Screening Elmer Bernstein Day was officially declared by Newport Beach Mayor Tod W. Ridgeway on Sunday, April 14, 2002. In a mayoral proclamation read at the conclusion of the screening of "To Kill A Mockingbird," Bernstein's legacy to the film industry, music and music education was cited. Three surprise visitors paying tribute to Bernstein were actors Mary ("Scout") Badham, Phillip ("Jem") Alford and the Academy Award®-winning art director of the film, Henry Bumstead. The evening was also celebrated with a dinner at Big Canyon Country Club, hosted by Cece DeMille Presley, granddaughter of the legendary Cecil B. DeMille. Mr. DeMille, defying a tacit "graylist," hired the Maestro to compose the score for "The Ten Commandments." University Women of the University of Judaism Presented Elmer Bernstein with the Coveted Burning Bush Award Presentation Took Place April 18, 2002 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills, California Film composer Elmer Bernstein was the featured honoree at the University Women's Author/Artist luncheon on April 18, 2002. The honor was originally begun in 1967 and annually honors and outstanding individual for his or her body of work and contributions to the community. The luncheon was a highlight of the University Women's yearly curriculum. It has established a highly regarded program in support of the institutional programs within the University of Judaism as well as furthering artistic, cultural and social awareness. It also supports scholarships and grants to the school's College of Arts and Sciences, graduate programs and its Ziegler School of Rabbinical Studies, the only independent ordaining institution on the West Coast. Previous honorees include David Hockney, Marilyn & Alan Bergman, Neil Simon and Helen Hayes. 03.04.02 Flanders International Film Festival 
On March 4, 2002 U.S. composer Elmer Bernstein received the very first World Soundtrack
Lifetime Achievement Award at an intimate ceremony that took place at the London
Residence of the Ambassador of Belgium to the UK, H.E. Mr. Lode Willems.
Elmer Bernstein was expected in Ghent last fall to give a concert of his
film music, and to receive the award. The tragic events of September 11
however made it impossible for him to attend the festival.
 The World Soundtrack Award is a new initiative developed by the
Flanders International Film Festival - Ghent aimed at the promotion,
education, preservation and recognition of film music as a true art form.
Well over 150 composers from around the world have already joined the World
Soundtrack Academy. Click here for more information.
City of Walnut Issues Proclamation to Elmer Bernstein Walnut, California, February 21, 2002—The City of Walnut issued a special mayoral proclamation to Elmer Bernstein for his continuing work with young musicians. He received the citation at the winter music program held annually every February at Walnut High School. This year marks the fourth year Mr. Bernstein conducted the music students from Walnut High School, which has a special magnet school music program under the direction of Buddy Clements. Dr. Clements had been Mr. Bernstein's composition student at USC's Thorton School of Music in the mid 1980s and had asked the maestro at that time if he would consider conducting a high school orchestra once his students were ready. Ten years later, Bernstein made his first guest appearance as conductor for Clements' student orchestra. The program varies each year. The 2002 movie themes focused on Bernstein's seminal jazz scores from "The Man with the Golden Arm," "Walk on the Wild Side," (both nominated for an Academy® Award) and "Rat Race" (1960). Also included were the perennial favorites "Hollywood and the Stars" and "The Magnificent Seven." The students surprised the maestro with a special birthday cake in honor of his 80th birthday. "I'm even an honorary student and have received a special Walnut High School letterman's jacket," stated Bernstein. Special "Far From Heaven" CD Signing and Q&A at Westwood's Borders Books & Music Elmer Bernstein will make a rare public appearance to sign CDs and conduct a brief Q&A about work on his critically acclaimed score for "Far From Heaven," Monday, January 20th at the Westwood Borders Books & Music, located at 1360 Westwood Boulevard (2 blocks South of Wilshire Boulevard) at 7:00 p.m. CDs are available for purchase and the signing takes place on the second floor. Elmer Bernstein Featured on NBC's "Today" Jamie Gangel, national correspondent for NBC Network's "Today" show, hosts a profile of Elmer Bernstein, which broadcast Friday, January 17th. The segment chronicled his career of 50+ years as a composer and highlights the maestro's "Far From Heaven" score in advance of the Golden Globe Awards show that also airs on NBC Sunday, January 19th. Stay tuned!
Elmer Bernstein Featured on "Romantic Hours" Pianist-Host Mona Golabek invites the the public to hear the Maestro's favorite classical pieces and read selections of his favorite poetry. See playlist for this week's showtimes and stations (December 7—Los Angeles, KMZT - 105.1 FM 10:00PM and flagship station WQXR 96.3 FM, New York, at Midnight) Elmer Bernstein Honored October 6th at London's National Film Theatre The Fall Program Features a Rare Viewing of James Jones' Adapation of "Some Came Running," Scored By Bernstein On Sunday, October 6th, the National Film Theatre will honor Elmer Bernstein with a screening of the 1958 film, "Some Came Running," and post-screening Q&A with Bernstein and protégé, British composer Cynthia Millar. The acclaimed film, directed by Vincente Minnelli and starring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Shirley MacLaine, is based on the award-winning book by famed war novelist James Jones, who also wrote "From Here to Eternity," "A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries" and "The Thin Red Line." The melodrama was chosen because of the textures and contrasts elicited by the plot and leading actors. Director Minnelli, renowned for his musicals, as well as melodramas, chose Bernstein to score the film, understanding that the richness and texture of a Bernstein score would perfectly match his film, conceived for the big screen. This showing marks a rare opportunity to see the film in a large screen setting. The film will be shown at 3:30 PM and a Q&A beginning at approximately 6:00 PM. For information and program notes, visit www.bfi.org.uk. Elmer Bernstein Makes Guest Appearance September 22 at the Woodstock Film Festival Screening of "Far From Heaven" Q&A With Elmer Bernstein, Director Todd Haynes, and Composer Cynthia Millar Takes Place at the Conclusion of Film "Far From Heaven," featuring a score by Elmer Bernstein, has been chosen as the closing film of the 3rd Annual Woodstock Film Festival and will feature a Q&A following the screening Sunday, September 22. Director Todd Haynes will share the dais with Bernstein and protégé Cynthia Millar, who played piano in the score. The film stars Julianne Moore, Dennis Quaid and Dennis Haysbert. It is set in the 1950s and depicts the beautiful, yet oppressive surfaces of middle-class, mid-century America. It is reminiscent of the films of Douglas Sirk, a popular director during the era, and whose films were renowned for their rich look and empathetic characters. "'Far From Heaven' is a film made by Todd Haynes with a very strong concept," states Bernstein. "It is a film about conventional mores of the fifties. Todd Haynes' idea was to treat this film to look as films about interpersonal relationships looked in the fifties. Conventional wisdom of the fifties indicated that homosexuality was an illness susceptible to treatment by psychiatry and, needless to say, a normal friendship with a person of another race was unthinkable. The score for this film also reflects some fifties sensibilities in its open romanticism and delicacy." For festival information and program notes, visit www.woodstockfilmfestival.com. Click here to read the Woodstock Times article. Bernstein Composes Music for Focus Films, "Far From Heaven" Elmer Bernstein has recently completed scoring the Todd Haynes/Christine Vachon film, "Far From Heaven," which stars Julianne Moore and Dennis Quaid. Set in suburban Connecticut in the 1950s, the film revolves around a privileged family whose obsession with appearances crosses both sexual and racial lines, critical themes for the era and for the characters that must face life-altering decisions. The film is scheduled to be released in early November. Bernstein has composed for a number of films involving these themes, among them "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "Devil in a Blue Dress." "The prejudices were harsh and obvious, but the feelings evoked from the characters are at times more subtle. It's a challenge to incorporate both while moving the narrative current at a proper pace," he stated. Bernstein's Theme from "The Great Escape" Sambas at World Cup In their own inimitable style, they have drowned out rival supporters with their rousing rendiditons of Rule Britannia, the National Anthem and the theme from The Great Escape. But with a quarter-final clash with Brazil looming (Thursday, June 20—11:30 p.m. PDT) the members of the official England supporters band face their sternest challenge yet—for whenever the Brazilians play, the stadium rolls with a chest-pounding, unrelenting samba beat. "Their fans may have tambourines, drums and plenty of rhythm but we've got brass instruments and plenty of heart," said bandleader and trumpet player John Hemmingham. "It will be a battle of the bands. We will rise to the challenge—and we will be louder." When England plays Brazil, the eight-strong band, which was formed in 1996, will unleash its secret weapon—a euphonium-driven samba version of The Great Escape. —The Mail, London, June 16, 2002
ElmerBernstein.com Shopping Cart Reopens for Business  More of your favorite Elmer Bernstein titles and CDs are in stock and available for secure, online purchase at ElmerBernstein.com Merchandise. Come browse, explore, and listen to select scores in streaming audio.
Additionally, we would like to encourage you to visit the newly expanded and revised Biography section, which features a scrapbook of classic, archival, candid and contemporary images of the Maestro; various quotes both by and about Mr. Bernstein; as well as archival interview material. Maestro Bernstein to Return to Scotland for Special Birthday Honor Bernstein to Conduct Concert of Films Scores from Past 50 Years The Royal Scottish National Orchestra has invited Elmer Bernstein to return to Glasgow on May 10th to perform at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall in honor of his 80th birthday. "The RSNO and Elmer Bernstein have a long-standing relationship. We last performed together to celebrate his 75th Birthday, both in Glasgow and London back in 1997, and everyone at the RSNO has very affectionate memories of working with him. We therefore wish Mr. Bernstein a very happy 80th Birthday, and we all very much look forward welcoming our friend back in May," stated Daniel Pollitt, press officer of RSNO. To order tickets, call +44 141 353 8000. Click here for complete program.  ... As the honours roll in, MICHAEL TUMELTY looks at Elmer Bernstein's remarkable career for the Glasgow Herald ...
Elmer Bernstein's "Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra" Premieres May 9th in Rosario, Argentina World Renowned Argentine Guitarist Sergio Puccini To Perform at Teatro El Circulo Elmer Bernstein's critically acclaimed "Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra For Two Christophers" will be performed by Sergio Puccini at Teatro El Circulo with the Rosario Symphony Orchestra. The May 9th concert will be the Latinamerican premiere of the composition. Written in honor of guitarist Christopher Parkening and the late orchestrator Christopher Palmer, the three-part composition ("Guitar," Reflections" and "Celebration," combines sweeping string work and upbeat passages in rondo form with soft introspective work that highlights the guitar. Stated music reviewer David Hurwitz for Classics Today.com, "It's a marvel and a joy to see this fine composer of film scores getting a rare hearing for his concert music." Click here for full review. Puccini, a force in the classical guitar world, is an educator and performer, having served as Dean of the Instituto Provincial del Profesorado de Música de Rosario (IPPM) since 1990, is also a Master Class instructor in Argentina and abroad. He frequently plays concert and recital programs in locales as diverse as Santa Fe, New Mexico, the Czech Republic and Hungary and has recorded with, among others, the Czech Virtuosi Orchestra and Venezuelan Maracaibo Symphony Orchestra. He has performed in national and world premieres of music by diverse composers as well. "I am thrilled that a musician of Mr. Puccini's stature will be performing a composition that has a very personal, emotional meaning for me," said Bernstein. "El Maestro" Returns to Catalonia Back by Popular Demand, Elmer Bernstein to Conduct Exciting Program at Barcelona's L'Auditori, May 3, 4, 5, 2002 Elmer Bernstein, whose SRO performances of his work in March, 2001 were received with both popular and critical acclaim, has been invited back to conduct an array of his compositions. The concerts will be performed by the Orquestra Simfonica de Barcelona i Nacional de Catalunya. The 2002 program features several suites from various periods of his work, including "Kings of the Sun," a frequently cited score, "The Great Escape" and "The Grifters." Bernstein has also compiled a selection of waltzes from various films, including the Oscar®-nominated "The Age of Innocence," and "Summer and Smoke," and Oscar®-winner "Thoroughly Modern Millie." "The waltz was born in Europe, and my European audiences seem to take great pleasure in these pieces, so it is a particular thrill for me," states Bernstein. A special section that showcases his ground-breaking, innovating use of jazz in films will include "Walk on the Wild Side, "Sweet Smell of Success," and "Rage in Harlem." And the program will conclude on a high note with selections from one of his specialties, the western. Walnut High School Symphonic Orchestra Presents: The Magic of Movies & Music with special guest conductor Elmer Bernstein Thursday, February 21, 2002 7:00 p.m. Walnut High Performing Arts Center Tickets: $8 Adults | $6 Students/Seniors For more information call (909) 594-2263. |
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