WEEKEND REVIEWS : Music : Mauceri Leads ‘Dreams’ at Bowl

The question is, does film music work on the concert stage?

The answer Friday night at Hollywood Bowl was an unequivocal sometimes-- sort of. They called it “Hollywood Dreams.” John Mauceri and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra ventured selections from their first recording of the same name.

The problems with such a presentation are many. Offering snippets of music without the benefit of the visuals they were composed for is bound to raise questions of form and function.

But then, it was supposed to be an evening of lightweight enjoyments, even though the program notes would have you believe that nothing less than a redefinition of the classical-music canon was seriously under way.

Mauceri’s disarmingly funny spoken introductions helped set the right tone. Musically, what worked best were the pieces arranged specifically for concert presentation--Franz Waxman’s own suite from “A Place in the Sun,” or the suite cannily arranged by Mauceri and Tommy Krasker from the score to “The Wizard of Oz.”

The orchestra played solidly enough, but without the polish we expect from more seasoned groups. Balance problems were apparent--the Bowl miking didn’t help; fortes were harsh, blend inconsistent.

The concert opened with a loud run-through of Schoenberg’s “Fanfare for a Bowl Concert” and continued, routinely but pleasantly, with music from Max Steiner’s “Gone With the Wind,” Stravinsky’s “Firebird” and Waxman’s suite, with alto saxophonist Doug Masek the stylish soloist.

Mauceri followed with an excerpt of Waxman’s music to “The Bride of Frankenstein,” thoroughly hokey and harmless, but a curious offering from someone trying to prove how great film music is. Music from “Robin Hood” by Korngold completed the first half.

After intermission, singer Lorna Luft joined the orchestra for a half-hour of songs from movies, which she belted fervently and effectively. Unfortunately, her medley, “Not Even Nominated,” turned out to be the kind of thing for which Las Vegas shows have become infamous.

Mauceri closed the lengthy event (repeated Saturday) with Michael Gore’s “Defending Your Life” finale, the John Dunbar Theme by John Barry from “Dances With Wolves” and the Flying Theme by John Williams from “E.T.”--remarkable as film music but ho-hum on their own.

Friday attendance: 11,391; Saturday: 16,451.