Night Had a Theme, Themes Had a Night

John Williams was understandably happy to hear his “Flying Theme” from “E.T.” performed as part of the opening night program to celebrate the 78th season of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. But he was even more delighted to hear his work followed by movie theme music by the late Bernard Herrmann, including the suite from the currently re-released Hitchcock thriller “Vertigo.”

Reflecting on his memories of Herrmann, Williams remarked, “Listening tonight taught me another of life’s valuable little lessons. Sometimes we don’t express the appreciation we should at the time we should. We always think there will be another time to do it and often there isn’t.”

The determination that it’s never too late to try to make up for past oversights was the motivation behind Monday night’s “Tribute to the Movies,” which acknowledged what the Philharmonic’s music director Esa-Pekka Salonen termed “the music composed here in this town everyday.”

Party-goer Fran Drescher, playing hooky from “The Nanny,” explained she is a major fan of soundtrack music, with a collection of recordings ranging from “Out of Africa” to “Clockers.” She said she was excited about the opportunity to meet Salonen, who she said “has brought lots of razzmatazz to the orchestra.”

The post-concert gala dinner in the Grand Hall of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion was staged by the Los Angeles Junior Philharmonic Committee, whose projects reach out to the community through programs such as the Music Mobile, which tours schools.

“We often tell the children listening to the music for the first time to close their eyes because that way they can realize how music tells a story. Hearing the music played tonight emphasizes it,” Ruth Straatsma said. She chaired the dinner with able backup from husband Brad, who had helped corral major corporation and show business support for the fund-raiser. Also garnering funds was a silent auction of items including Princess cruises and a teeth-whitening session with dentist Dr. Stanley Vogel for that perfect Hollywood smile.

“This is the most beautiful group of people I’ve seen down here on a Monday night since the Academy Awards,” teased Juniors President Joan McClain Stubbs, thanking the supporters while informing, “Those of you who are Yankee fans, Atlanta won.”

Guests seemed happy to linger over the meal of lamb loin filled with forest mushrooms. Yellow lilies and sprig orchids atop rail silver columns decorated the tables, set beneath cascades of fairy lights.

Among those remaining were Robert and Linda Attiyeh, Pat and Lewis Whitney, Stella and Sheldon Wilson and composer Jerry Goldsmith and filmmaker Paul Verhoeven, who are part of the newly announced Philharmonic project creating closer communications between Hollywood and the orchestra. Also there was composer Elmer Bernstein whose “The Magnificent Seven” suite kicked off the evening.