The Force is strong with the Boston Pops Orchestra this spring. The renowned orchestra has long sought to bring classical music to a wider audience, regularly integrating popular selections into their repertoire, rearranging show tunes and film classics into orchestral pieces. So who better to lead such an endeavor than renowned film composer John Williams?
In 1979, the Pops tapped the man behind the Star Wars score—then fresh off the success of A New Hope—as its next conductor. Williams carried the Pops until 1995, when Keith Lockhart took the helm. This spring, the duo will team up to lead a performance of selections from Williams’ latest score for Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Williams will take the baton on May 12 and 13 for the Pops’ Film Night, which will screen clips of Star Wars and other Williams classics like Jaws and Indiana Jones. On June 4, Lockhart will lead the orchestra in a full performance of Raiders of the Lost Ark.
“We couldn’t be happier with the terrific lineup of guest artists joining us for the 2016 Boston Pops season,” Lockhart told The Associated Press. “I can’t remember a more diverse season with such great potential, both to please our loyal audiences and reach out and entice music lovers of all ages.”
The spring schedule also includes funnyman Seth MacFarlane, himself a talented baritone (as we know from that butter-smooth croon of Brian Griffin) and the Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson, as well as tributes to David Bowie and Glenn Frey.
Even the Grammys lineup wasn’t this good. Could a spring trip to Boston be in order? Let us know what you think in the comments.
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HT: Billboard
IMAGE:Â Kevin Harber
