Ben Hur-- It's back!

[ltwoman]

http://www.vafest.org/2014/2014-perform ... n-hur-2014

If it's coming to Norfolk (Virginia ) it's making the rounds. April 19th.

[njperry]

That is thrilling news. Thanks for posting.

I am seriously considering heading down there to hear Stewart's 90 minute composition. Stewrat will be performing with the orchestra.

This is Stewart's soundtrack to the 1925 silent film version of Ben Hur. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben-Hur_(1925_film). This is different from the Ben Hur Live project that Stewart worked on a few years ago, although it sounds as if there will be parts of that project included here.

There is some addition info can be found from this flier from Stewart's mangement company linked here and pasted below:
http://www.opus3artists.com/utils/Downl ... BenHur.pdf

[quote]Stewart Copeland’s Ben-Hur in Concert

Fred Niblo’s 1925 film “Ben-Hur: A Tale of The Christ” was the most expensive silent film ever made, with an enormous cast and crew and a visual scope that is breathtaking to this day. In 2010 legendary drummer and film score composer, Stewart Copeland was asked to compose a score for an arena spectacle of the original book including the iconic chariot scene and marine battle. It ran throughout Europe including Munich, Rome and the O2 Arena in London. And now Copeland has been commissioned by the Virginia Arts Festival to edit the Niblo classic film and re-assemble his score for live performance with orchestra. As a film composer, Copeland has worked with many of the greatest film directors of our generation, including Francis Ford Coppola and Oliver Stone. His score for Ben-Hur is dramatic, tuneful, and complements the film beautifully. The film, now at eighty-five minutes, and an intermission, will feature Stewart Copeland on drum set and percussion as well as full symphony orchestra. This is a project that for the first time combines Copeland’s many talents in composition, orchestration, film scoring, film editing, and of course, his remarkable virtuosity behind the drums.

ABOUT THE WORK BY STEWART COPELAND
When the 2009 Ben-Hur Live arena production of the Lew Wallace novel finished its run in 2011 I felt strongly that the score I had composed for this project deserved a life of its own. I had seen Fred Niblo’s classic original version of this famous story and had been overwhelmed by its scale. Watching those same scenes that I had scored for a different medium, I couldn’t help but hear my music working with Ramon Novarro’s portrayal of Judah and Fred Niblo’s depiction of Lewis Wallace’s book. I felt that my new score would provide access for audiences to see the original masterpiece and to learn more about the various iterations of Ben-Hur, since it appears that many only know the Charlton Heston film.
Film-makers are a strange breed, and none more so than the editors. But during the twenty years I spent working closely with them in post-production they taught me a thing or two about cinematic story telling. Pace is crucial, and this is where my concert version will diverge most profoundly with the original cut. The full-length version of the film is very long. At two hours and twenty seven minutes it’s best enjoyed at rare screenings, although it still packs a punch on a flat screen at home. But at a concert hall or festival, I believe the new version I have envisioned will be an excellent mix of story, film and symphonic performance. -Stewart Copeland

“Ben Hur is a picture that rises above spectacle, even though it is spectacle. On the screen it isn’t the chariot race or the great battle scenes between the fleet of Rome and the pirate galleys of Golthar. It is the tremendous heart throbs that one experiences leading to those scenes that make them great.” Variety Magazine . [/quote]

[ltwoman]

Nick, don't you have a friend in Virginia Beach? It's right there.

[njperry]

[quote="ltwoman"]Nick, don't you have a friend in Virginia Beach? It's right there.[/quote]

He lives in Hampton now, but in the same area.

[conroy]

Woooooooooo!!!!™ There should be a good representation of nutters in the audience. Can't wait!!! Only 5 1/2 more months!!!

[ltwoman]

Where is Bella??? She lives right here too...

[sockii]

I am definitely in for this Have missed far too many Stewart events in the past few years, not going to miss this one!

Nutters should note - it is apparently the Saturday of Easter weekend so that may make it difficult for some to make it (boo on the timing). Me, I don't care if I have to immediately hit the road after the show to go do the "family thing" on Sunday. It'll be worth it!

[njperry]

[quote="sockii"]I am definitely in for this Have missed far too many Stewart events in the past few years, not going to miss this one!

Nutters should note - it is apparently the Saturday of Easter weekend so that may make it difficult for some to make it (boo on the timing). Me, I don't care if I have to immediately hit the road after the show to go do the "family thing" on Sunday. It'll be worth it![/quote]

Glad you will make it, Sockii.

I think the timing is intentional that it is on Easter weekend since a major part of the story relates to the cruxifiction of Jesus. The more famous 1959 film version is always shown on Eater weekend.

So I need to convince my family that this will be better than the usual Eater Bunny Train of recent Easters.

[sockii]

So I need to convince my family that this will be better than the usual Eater Bunny Train of recent Easters.

It'll be educational, timely, AND musical! A fine combination!

[cillae]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfcaBE17xJ4

[njperry]

[quote="ltwoman"]Where is Bella??? She lives right here too...[/quote]

I have emailed Bella to make sure she is aware of it.

ETA: Bella informed and excited.

[bella]

Thanks to Nick for the heads up. But before I get too excited (which I already did) is Stewart actually going to be there performing it? It does not explicitly say.

[bella]

Nevermind, forgive me. In my excitement I didn't read the PDF Nick included in his email. ok. Now I am officially flipping out. Right in my backyard. Yippee.

[ltwoman]

Nevermind, forgive me. In my excitement I didn't read the PDF Nick included in his email. ok. Now I am officially flipping out. Right in my backyard. Yippee.

Oh yeah. I've been to Chrysler Hall but I really don't know much about it. I wonder if we can aim for a block of seats?

[luna_virgo]

I am planning to be there too. It's been too long since I've had a road trip. Can't wait!