October 17, 2008
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra performed Sir Tony's music that he created for "August" and "Slipstream", films he directed, in addition to other compositions he has written. Rounding out the evening was music from other films he starred in that were written by others.
Originally, Hopkins was to introduce his compositions and then take a seat in the audience but he took to the podium and conducted an encore performance of his original work "Schizoid Salsa".
Excerpts from dallasnews.com by TOM MAURSTA:
"I am very flattered at the symphony's choosing to perform my music," Mr. Hopkins says.
"I'm not especially nervous, but then I don't really have anything to do but show up and say a few words."
Those few words will be his introduction to the compositions included in "An Evening of Music With Anthony Hopkins & the DSO – A World Premiere" on Friday night.
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra program will include music he created for the films Slipstream and August, as well as other original compositions and pieces from some of his films written by others.
His work as a composer isn't just the product of a successful actor enjoying a new hobby in the way some of his Hollywood counterparts have picked up a paintbrush or sat down at a typewriter. Mr. Hopkins has been "doodling" with music most of his life.
"I played piano as a child, but like all kids I didn't want to practice. I wasn't a good student and didn't have the requisite discipline or talent to become a concert pianist. And then at university I got involved in acting and music flew away.
"But starting around 1955 or so, I was working on a couple of Chekhov plays – Three Sisters and Uncle Vanya – and I started writing some music that served as the soundtracks. And ever since, at different times, I've been writing music."
He composes in what he calls a freestyle manner, cites some of the composers he admires – Scriabin, Debussy, Ravel and "the Russians" – and quotes writer Henry Miller who, having turned to painting late in life, said, "Paint as you like and die happy."
"I don't analyze, I just go for it. I work on the premise of have no fear. A composer I respect very much said, 'This is great, you're breaking all the rules.'
"But that's only because I don't know them. And because I don't know the rules, I'm not bound by them. "Plan your life.
Excerpts from prweb.com:
Dallas audiences were abuzz last night in anticipation of hearing original compositions created by famed actor Sir Anthony Hopkins. No one in the full house crowd anticipated Hopkins himself taking the podium and leading the great Dallas Symphony Orchestra in an encore performance of his original work Schizoid Salsa.
Sir Anthony Hopkins, or Tony as he prefers to be called, was greeted by a rousing standing ovation last night as he made his first ever bows from the podium stage. The musicians greeted his performance with rambunctious stomping – the common sign of appreciation given by orchestra musicians to only the finest of conductors.
It was an absolute thrill to not only hear my work performed by such an incredible orchestra, but to actually lead them in a performance; a performance that included music that up until that point I had only heard in my imagination I decided this was a rare occasion, and that I would regret the missed opportunity “It was an absolute thrill to not only hear my work performed by such an incredible orchestra, but to actually lead them in a performance; a performance that included music that up until that point I had only heard in my imagination,” said Hopkins. “What a rush!”
Excerpt from WalesOnline.co.uk. by ROBIN TURNER
In addition to Schizoid Salsa, the programme included The Masque of Time, a new original composition by Hopkins, and Stella Aria, written for his wife Stella Arroyave.
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