BSG Suite in Symphonic Orchestra Concert, Oct. 24!
ONE NIGHT ONLY: On October 24th, the Golden State Pops Orchestra will perform a special tribute to composer Stu Phillips to commemorate his 80th birthday. He will conduct his scores from the original Battlestar Galactica, as well as several other projects. Richard Hatch and other new and original BSG alums will be there, and I will be there as a special guest, conducting my new arrangement of Stu’s classic theme!
My piece will be a combination of the various moments in my scores in which I quoted Stu’s timeless melody, drawing from “Colonial Anthem” from Season 2, “Husker in Combat” from Razor and, of course, “The Heart of the Sun” from the final episode. Some of my own, original BSG themes will weave in there as well.
If you missed the summer concerts in downtown Los Angeles, San Diego, or my ballet, Prelude to War, in Germany last spring, this is your last chance this year to hear my Galactica score performed live in concert. Since the concert program also includes Stu’s “Theme from Battlestar Galactica,” I want my “Colonial Anthem” to have all the unique qualities and sounds that set my score apart. So, the orchestra will be joined on stage by BSG Orchestra superstars Paul Cartwright on electric violin, Chris Bleth on duduk and M.B. Gordy on taikos and ethnic percussion. (UPDATE: The line-up has changed. See the bottom of this entry).
And even if you did see any of the previous shows, this one will be entirely different, since it involves a full orchestra! This concert will truly be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the classic and re-imagined Galactica scores together on one program. There will also be a drawing to win CDs and other goodies signed by me and Stu.
The Golden State Pops Orchestra
Halloween Fright Night 7
Help GSPO celebrate Stu Phillips’ 80th Birthday
Grand Warner Theater, San Pedro, CA
Saturday, October 24, 2009
8:00pm
GSPO Official Site
Buy Tickets
I’m guessing a few of you loyal blog readers aren’t familiar with the original BSG series or Stu’s remarkable music for it. I asked Stu if he’d do an interview for us, so you could learn more about him and his long career directly from the source:
Bear McCreary: What is your musical background prior to working in film / television?
Stu Phillips: I was fortunate to have attended a high school in New York called “The High School of Music & Art.” (now known as “the LaGuardia school of performing arts.”) it was there that I really became enamored with music. Aside from piano, I studied clarinet, and became quite proficient, performing the Mozart “clarinet concerto” with a symphony orchestra at the age of 16. I spent a great deal of my early career playing piano in bars… Accompanying singers… On the road as musical director for some singers… Doing record arrangements, and eventually as a record producer, where I was fortunate to have produced three #1 million record sellers.
Bear: How did you get involved with the original BSG?
Stu: I had been working with Glen Larson since 1974 on four different TV shows. When the “BSG” project came to fruition, he suggested me to universal as the composer. They were reluctant at first to agree to my doing the music, wanting to hire a “big name” composer, but Glen was insistent and I was hired.
Bear: At the time your score was probably among the most large-scale and epic scores on television. To this day, very few television scores rival it. Was it difficult to convince the studio to make the score this big, or was it an obvious decision for them?
Stu: Actually, the studio had almost no say in what the music to the film/tv show would be like. This was decided by Glen and myself. Glen, obviously trying to compete with “Star Wars,” wanted some big symphonic music. I heartedly agreed. What composer wouldn’t. Many people are not aware that about three hours worth of film was tracked personally by me and Don Woods, my music editor, for the presentation. It was tracked with classical music plus some Stu Phillips cues from other of my films and TV shows. In several instances, I ,unfortunately, backed myself into a corner, having pleased the network brass and glen with many of my musical choices, that I was forced to compose similar sounding cues for the final cut. The choice of the LA Phil was sort of the result of a three way discussion between Glen, Harry Garfield and myself.
Bear: Were you involved in the amazing disco version of the BSG Theme?
Stu: Yes… Absolutely. We recorded, the entire 6 minute piece in one day from 1:00pm to 11:00 pm… Overdubbing the different sections of the orchestra one at a time. Michael Boddicker was my co-producer and laid out some of the rhythm tracks.
Bear: What are your favorite themes from the original BSG score?
Stu: I think that I captured the deep sorrow and remorse of Adama’s loss of his family. “Adama’s theme” is one of my favorites. Also a love theme that I wrote for one of the episodes.
Bear: Any thoughts on why the score has resonated for so long and so powerfully in the memories of fans?
Stu: Ahh! If we knew the answer to that question, every film composer would be a genius. If I had to speculate, I would say that it was the thematic content of the music, and the fact that many of the original eight themes, in varying forms, were utilized throughout the entire series. And, listeners were probably amazed that every week they heard a score that seemed to be on a par, sound wise, to the original LA Philharmonic tracks from the pilot.
Bear: What was it like for you finding out that your themes would be appearing in the new BSG despite the fact that the tone of the new score was so radically different than the original show?
Stu: Overwhelming joy.
Bear: What is your favorite project you’ve worked on?
Stu: I would have to say, definitely BSG is one of them. Some others would be “Follow Me” (a surfing picture with a very un-surfing score.)… And “A Time to Every Purpose’ (currently titled “Pickup on 101.”)
Bear: The Theme to “Knight Rider” kicks ass. That’s not really a question, just an observation. But seriously, that piece is equally timeless as the BSG Theme, but its written in a totally different style. Which language comes easier to you, the orchestral or synthesizer language?
Stu: One would think that it’s natural to be more at home with an orchestral score, given my classical background. However, to toot my own horn a bit… I was one of the early users of synth type instruments, all the way back to the novachord. In 1968, I wrote a orchestral score utilizing the original moog synthesizer which was played by Paul Beaver. (the instrument was about 10 ft. Wide and 8 ft. High) all through the 1960s I was always on the lookout for new ways to produce new sounds. About ten of the 96 episodes of “The Fall Guy” that I wrote were all synth driven, except for the rhythm section. (oh yes! The “Knight Rider ” theme was one of, if not the first, all synth themes on TV. It predated “Miami Vice” by about 6 months.
Bear: And to get nerdy and technical for a moment, how did you pull off those iconic synth sounds in the KR score? Were they sequenced via MIDI or played back by multiple keyboard players live? What hardware was used?
Stu: There were four synth players on the KR theme. Nothing… I repeat… Nothing was sequenced. Some of the sounds were not synths, but percussion sounds. You would have to talk to Mike Lang… Ralph Grierson or Randy Kerber about the instruments. I really can’t remember what they were.
Bear: You recently wrote a book about your experiences. Is it still available?
Stu: Go to “StuWho.com.” It’s still available, and comes personally autographed. It’s also available at Amazon and many other internet sites.
(image borrowed from KnightRiderOnline, thanks!)
Bear: How did this concert with GSPO come about?
Stu: I was invited to guest conduct my orchestra setting of the “Twilight Zone” theme at the 2008 GSPO October concert. After that, Steve and I talked about doing a concert featuring some of my own music. I had just met Robert Theis, the piano soloist at this upcoming concert, and he had agreed to add my “variations for piano and orchestra” to his repertoire. I played Steve the recording of the piece and he loved it. From there it was all downhill to now. The birthday celebration was an extra added goody.
Bear: What other scores of yours are we going to hear at the Oct. 24th concert?
Stu: A new suite of music from “Buck Rogers”… Excerpts from a film titled “The Name of The Game is…kill!”… “Knight Rider” and some BSG music from some episodes.
Bear: Tell us about about the piano concert we’re going to hear and what inspired you to write it.
Stu: It’s a very long story. It was originally conceived as a concerto for four basses. Dennis Trembly of the LA Phil had asked if I might take a shot at writing something for the contra bass. When it became obvious that trying to get four competent bass players together for rehearsals was going to be a problem, I gave up on the project. The music laid around in a carton for several years, until one day, when I was reorganizing things, I came across the music. When I revisited the score I thought, “what a waste of ideas.” so I began rewriting the music as a set of variations for piano. In 1998 I recorded it at the Skywalker ranch with a symphony orchestra and a 16 year old pianist.
Bear: This is music that was written to perform a function against picture. Yet audiences continually flock to live performances of soundtracks. Why do you think film / tv music works so well in the concert hall?
Stu: I would have to amend your question with “some tv/film music works so well…”
Good music is… Simply put… Good music. Whether it be for film… Concert Hall or records. If an audience can relate to Mozart or Rachmaninoff… Why not Williams… Mancini… Barry… Or for that matter, McCreary or Phillips?
* * *
Special thanks to Stu Phillips for the insight and for inviting me to be a part of this remarkable event. I’m honored to be involved. I hope to see some loyal BSG fans out in the crowd and that when the music stops, we’ll hear some rowdy chants of “SO SAY WE ALL!”
See you there!
-Bear
UPDATED 10-16-09:
Due to a scheduling conflict, regretfully violinist Paul Cartwright will not be able to perform at this concert.
However, I’m very excited to announce that our third guest soloist will be none other than Steve Bartek on electric guitar!
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85 Responses to “BSG Suite in Symphonic Orchestra Concert, Oct. 24!”
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PLEASE tell us where to buy The Plan. I wants it now…
@ plainsong,
I agree it was heartbreaking but at the same time I did feel a bit of a new beginning somewhere. Maybe it was just me being in denial. After all I assume we’re getting Caprica soon??? :D
But yes, I did tear up a bit when I listened to the score… I loved the story in The Plan, I won’t go into details because it seems we’re a bit lucky to have gotten it on Blu-Ray 10 days before the release!?!?!? Anyway, the ending was quite beautiful and I loved what the two last characters meant for the entire story. :)
As for Richard, nah, I’ve already sent an email to his agent, you can expect him to probably get in touch with the right people and issue some kind of statement. ;) I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s chimed in on this one.
@ musicpaladin2007 and Johnny Boy,
I’m a bit confused too, but here I am with my awesome Blu-Ray edition of the Plan. It’s got a really nice cover I must admit. And I don’t know why but Grace is such a talented actress, she’s so beautiful in this one and the way she acts is amazing.
Ask me about anything you want regards the BD release and I’ll answer it, if you aren’t sure to invest in it just yet.
I actually bought it in a store Johnny, they had plenty and I just couldn’t help my self. So I got it.
Would you have been able to hold back? ;) Frak no, so I went and shelled out £29 which was insanely expensive for a film but hey, this is BSG and it’s worth it! It’s also pretty long with good extras!
Oh, I’d have had one in my hand, cash on the counter, and out the door before the cashier could make change. But none of the local stores I’ve been in have it yet. I may try a few places this week that stock items early.
I also want to say thanks to you guys for not spoiling anything. Its greatly appreciated. Hope I can get it this week.
I have a compliment that happens to double as a complaint.
Paul Cartwright’s electric violin solos *cough Kara’s Coordinates* are a bitch to transcribe.
This is a VERY rough version… I’m still cleaning up the horn parts.
http://www.hisroad.com/bsg/mp3/bsg3.mp3
After having heard “Apocalypse: Theme from “The Plan”" on Youtube, I have to say it sent chills down my spine. I never really liked the main title music (I liked the US season 1 much better), and compared to the rest of the score it always felt lacking.
However, I now look upon it in a new light. It is in fact incredibly awesome. Raya has a beautiful voice, and its just fantastic. (Sometime, somehow, PLEASE get us a recording of her vocal version of Roslin and Adama so I can die happy).
You couldn’t have picked a better way to say goodbye to Galactica: End at the beginning, and frankly it sounds apocalyptic as well. You have succeeded on every count, and I’m even more excited for the rest of the score to the Plan and the coming Razor/The Plan soundtrack!
Hi, Bear. I was just wondering, since The Plan is coming out soon, is there any news about your planned CD with music from it and Razor? Thanks!
Guys, please take the time to read through the previous comments/posts. Bear has mentioned on more occasions than I can count that the Razor/The Plan soundtrack is forthcoming, tentatively scheduled for February 2010.
Some more “publicity” for this on io9.com today :) http://io9.com/5386807/listen-to-classic-scifi-tv-scores-played-by-an-amazing-orchestra-this-saturday-night
I can’t find the original blog post where we talked about the need for a nickname for BSG fans, so I’ll continue my thought here.
It came to me after watching an old mst3k episode, Space Mutiny, if you must know (We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese.).
There are trekkies, there are msties, so wouldn’t that make us… taiko drum roll…
BeeGees?
Wait, guys? Where are you going? Come back! ;)
@ Plainsong,
I hear what you are saying… Firefly had Browncoats, Trek had Trekkies and Star Wars had Jedis… oh wait no that’s actually become a religion now so I can’t say that without some one saying it’s more than a name it’s a religion… a way of life etc. blah blah blah…
BUT, BSG?
IT has to be something emblematic, like Sams Caprica Buccaneers team. Or Caprican.
I’d go for Caprican because I like it… So why not use that? I mean it’s at least something we all know what it is.
Or Galactican… Or Vipers!
Let’s see what catches on, maybe we can start it from here and let it be something memorable.
So my suggestions are:
• Caprican
• Vipers
• Caprica Buccaneers or just Buccaneers
• Galactican
Though I’d be super sad if BeeGees would be the choice for our devotion to the show. O_o
PS. Mst3k ROCKS!!!!!
@ musicpaladin2007
I’m sorry to have brought it up, but after seeing The Plan Twice now… the song became such an important part of the entire experience I wasn’t thinking and just asked the question before I even thought about remembering where that note might have been posted.
But sure we won’t ask again. I’m sure Bear will post news on this when the time is right.
Till then I recommend people to buy the new film and enjoy the nearly 2 hours of amazing story and great new effects. :D
And naturally Bear’s amazing score.
Oh it’s cool! I only said something because it was the 342,454,235,232 th time it had been asked :) I for one can’t wait to see this movie OR hear the score!
I think that Bucs or Capricans are good… Galacticians sounds too much like Mathematicians lol.
@ musicpaladin2007,
Yeah I like Capricans too! :D
So far we’ve got two votes on that. :p
Capricans sounds good. C-Bucs, too.
[...] Bear mentioned in his blog, he’s written a completely new piece of music that combines elements from both the original [...]
Luckily, all of the suggestions are better than BGies. I hope my joke comment does not in fact become reality! :-)
We could also be Fleeters. Citizens of The Fleet is too long.
C-Bucs rule.
Someone PLEASE get a Youtube up of this concert, at the very least Bear’s composition? Cause the way Mojo tells it makes it sound frakkin’ awesome!
Mojo updated his site with a report from the last rehearsal. It includes the world’s first review of my new piece that will premiere on Saturday! Check it out:
http://darthmojo.wordpress.com/2009/10/22/report-from-concert-rehearsal/
And here’s the link to his blog entry where he has footage of Stu Phillips playing the BSG theme on piano:
http://darthmojo.wordpress.com/2009/10/14/stu-phillips-plays-galactica-theme/
I can personally attest that the rehearsal the other night was a lot of fun and the piece is going to sound awesome. Mojo is my sounding board for all things geek-related, and when he reacted as strongly as he did, I now know you guys are in for a treat.
See you guys there!
-Bear
Wow. It sounds great on Piano. To be honest, I find the BSG theme too be too overblown in its full orchestral glory, as iconic as it may be. It desperately tries to mimic John Williams and Star Wars. And it shows.
But on anything else, it sounds awesome. Like the beginning of “Final Cut” before it becomes orchestral.
Boy, its too bad we’ll only get to hear this once. I’m looking forward to Saturday with great anticipation.
Steve said: “It desperately tries to mimic John Williams and Star Wars. And it shows.”
Hmm, just because it’s big, powerful music applied to a space-adventure backdrop, I’m not sure it’s fair to suggest BSG is trying to mimic Star Wars. John Williams may have set the bar for this kind of music-scoring in action/adventure/sci-fi material, but he doesn’t have a copyright on style. And although it would be superficial of me to say “John Williams never really used Taiko’s in Star Wars”, the point is that Bear has chosen to apply a huge ‘world music’ sound to the BSG universe, in contrast to Williams’ choices which were arguably based in more of a traditional or classic movie-music style (as incredible as it was). Both are awesome, but I think it’s a bit unfair to suggest one is trying to live up to the other. Just my opinion, though.
Latest arrangement (and last one I have planned for now!)
http://hisroad.com/bsg/mp3/shapeofthingstocome.mp3
This is probably one of the better ones I’ve done so far. Yeah, I know Bear, it’s that piece that isn’t as suited for marching band, but I’m really hoping it fits as a good prelude to Kara’s Coordinates (I figured out it’s in the same key as Kara’s Coordinates starts in!) I’m fairly happy with this considering it was all done by ear.
number7lives-
I think Steve was referring more to Stu’s original orchestral score than Bear’s.
Yeah, I know, I often forget there was BSG music before Bear’s. A lot of the time my concept of what is BSG music is mainly Bear’s score in my mind… but that’s probably a generational thing due to the fact I wasn’t even born until 7-10 years after the original BSG series.
Musicpaladin-
Omg. You’re right. I didn’t even think about Stu Phillips’ music (which I must confess, I haven’t, as yet, heard). My bad. Sorry Steve if I misinterpreted you there :)
I’m sure that Stu was told to do a Star Wars type thing. But he would have been told to do that by people who don’t really know what they’re talking about. So it’s like number7lives says – what is it really, but a big orchestral anthem set in out space, with some chords that we somehow associate with spaceyness.
That’s a loose constraint really. The end product ends up being iconic in its own right, and nothing to do with Star Wars at all. How many times have we heard the Galactica theme used for things having nothing to do with anything?
Wait a sec, I seem to remember a Mr. Elmer Bernstein using it in Airplane II, to hilarious effect. Six degrees of Bear McCreary.
Another great score born out of “Star Wars” syndrome: Star Trek: The Motion Picture.
My point is, influence is not always a bad thing.
musicpaladin2007,
Love your work. could you please upload MIDIs of some of your songs especially Prelude To War and Kara’s Coordinates ?
Thanks,
George Fox
“I’d like to hear how each of the colonies interprets the Colonial theme. Like, how do the Gemenese play it? What does it sound like on Tauron? Is it always the same or does each colony play it slightly different to show unity while also showing diversity.”
Yeah, I agree that would be awesome.
P.S. Bear,if you’re still planning on wearing the acid washed skinny-jeans, gold v-neck and the leather vest, I would think again. Word from Stu’s assistant is that Stu’s planning on wearing that exact outfit. Better play it safe and do a suit.
Hope the concert went well! Can’t wait to hear a report from someone (or maybe a slipped youtube video or something!)
Okay… I tweaked one or two of the previous pieces and beefed up some orchestration (added bagpipes in a couple of cases).
New is Wander My Friends
http://www.hisroad.com/bsg/mp3/bsg1.mp3
The others for easy reference are
Baltar’s Cult
http://www.hisroad.com/bsg/mp3/baltarcult.mp3
Prelude to War
http://www.hisroad.com/bsg/mp3/preludetowar.mp3
I intend for Shape of Things to Come to lead into Kara’s Coordinates
Shape of Things To Come
http://www.hisroad.com/bsg/mp3/shapeofthingstocome.mp3
Kara’s Coordinates
http://www.hisroad.com/bsg/mp3/bsg3.mp3
George Fox-
I would post MIDI’s but I would kind of like to protect my work so I will respectfully decline to do so… I hope you understand.
Wow, those arrangements take me back to the day when I and a group of band friends used to do arrangements, or otherwise make stuff better. Only we used just staff paper…. and we liked it! Yeah, we liked it fine! ;)
Never could write for percussion though.
Your stuff got my brain going of how I’d approach it, and you obviously know what you’re doing. Just be careful letting people hear sneak peaks of the band’s show.
There’s minor things that I would do differently (not to say better, because I don’t know if my ideas would work or not, it’s been 2 class reunions since I’ve done anything like that), but the important thing is that you know your band’s sound, and how to show it best.
What’s the drill plan for Cult of Baltar, if you’re able to/feel comfortable saying? I have this set idea in my mind, and your music suggests it, but how awesome that you didn’t just pick the most obvious songs. :)
Wow, well the concert was a major success. I’d do a whole blog entry about it, but I just don’t have the energy this week. Mojo did a great write up here:
http://darthmojo.wordpress.com/2009/10/26/phillips-mccreary-cake/
And its worth adding that Stu really knocked’em dead. I’m proud of how my piece turned out, but it was really humbling being up there on the same program with a maestro like Stu. When I’m 80, I can only hope to have that same passion and energy. Bravo, Stu!
Those of you who weren’t able to come check it out, we may have got a little audio / visual goodies, so hopefully I’ll be able to post something in the near future.
-Bear
Stephen Routsis… “Talk about tagging the wrong person!”
That link you sent was HILARIOUS! I felt so sorry for the real Richard Hatch, having his picture associated with that article about reality star / convict Richard Hatch. At least they seem to have taken it down now. Thanks for sharing that.
musicpaladin… “Paul Cartwright’s electric violin solos *cough Kara’s Coordinates* are a bitch to transcribe.”
You’re transcribing Paul’s solo? Dear Gods, man, you’re braver than I.
Everyone…
I love all the names suggested for BSG fans, by the way. Great ideas!
plainsong… “Wait a sec, I seem to remember a Mr. Elmer Bernstein using it in Airplane II, to hilarious effect. Six degrees of Bear McCreary.”
Wow, that’s true! I forgot about that. So weird. Elmer and I BOTH did arrangements of Stu’s BSG music. (cue “Twilight Zone Theme”)
-Bear
Hi Bear,
I’m on a roll here about posting things in entries they don’t really belong to, due to a lack of better place to put them. My apologies for that.
I just would like to point out that one piece of BSG music I would love to hear live, performed by the BSG Orchestra is ‘Martial Law’. I always loved it. I seem to not be the only one who thinks that. People from all kinds of fandoms often use it as background music to their fanvids, which they then place on youtube.
I have now found proof of this statement. Somebody issued a challenge on youtube to make a fanvid, using ‘overused songs’. Only 15 songs are allowed. ‘Martial Law’ is number ten on the list.
My favorite fan-use of ‘Martial Law’ remains to this day a spoof video made by the Geology students from Penn State University. As a fellow geologist, it always cracks me up. It is simply hilarious.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hz8NvywhYck
Let me know what you think of Tricia’s double ;-).
Skating_Lientje
Skating_Lientje…
“Battlestar Geologica” is very funny. Thanks for sharing.
-Bear
Congrats Bear !
I have the chance to compose many songs for a video game developed around the world of BSG (Diaspora).
The development team really hopes that the influence of Bear McCreary is resent in the music. Also I would like some additional information on the type of percussions commonly used in the soundtrack composed by Bear for BSG? Where can I find this information please ?
Thank you for your help.
Phil
Extracts : http://www.phreymusic.com/images/music/Diaspora/PlayList/PLayList.html
Hey Phil,
I think you’re in the right place. Just look through the BSG entries for all the info you need. Best of luck with the project!
-Bear
MB Gordy already kindly given me some ideas, it remains for me to find some time to browse through your blog (it’s huge here! ;o) – Thank you Bear !