Michael Kraemer

BUTLER TWP — Space cruisers, aliens, and galaxies far, far away came to life at Saturday's concert by the Butler County Symphony Orchestra at Butler Intermediate High School.

Musical director Michael Kraemer and the orchestra treated an enthusiastic audience to the most iconic science fiction film scores of the past 50 years.

John Williams, Alan Silvestri, Michael Giacchino, Jerry Goldsmith, and the late James Horner have composed hundreds of movie scores, but some of their most recognized are sci-fi blockbusters they set to music.

Opening with the recognizable fanfare of Richard Strauss' Also Sprach Zarathustra used in Stanley Kubrick's “2001: A Space Odyssey,” the orchestra kicked off an evening of epic adventure.

It was hard not to see Marty and Doc Brown with his DeLorean when the orchestra began the “Back to the Future” suite by Silvestri. The quieter themes from the film were well done by the strings.

Kraemer, a self-confessed Trekkie, boldly led the orchestra through Goldsmith's main theme for the 1967 television series “Star Trek” and its spin-offs in an arrangement by Calvin Custer.

As the USS Enterprise warped through space, Giacchino blended music from the original with his themes for “Star Trek Into Darkness,” one of the recent JJ Abrams reboots.

Beginning quietly with piano and cello playing the original theme, it builds to more suspenseful brass and percussion. The blending of old themes with new reflects the plot of the movie which intertwines original Trek lore with and alternate universe.

The orchestra was quite adept at creating the spine-chilling feeling of James Horner's score for “Aliens.” Just as creepy as the 1979 film music, this 1896 mix of howling strings over the low bass and tympani “heartbeat” of the alien moved to relentless percussion before abruptly ending with a gong.

The audience relaxed a bit when the friendlier extraterrestrials of “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” showed up. Williams' theme, almost a lullaby as it begins, weaves the famous five tone “hello” throughout.

During intermission, the audience had an opportunity to rub elbows or cross light sabers, with Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Rey and a several other characters from the “Star Wars” galaxy thanks to members of the Starkiller Garrison of the 501st Legion.

The concert's second half was dedicated to music from the “Star Wars” films. Williams, composer for all eight films beginning in 1977 and for the upcoming ninth episode in 2019, developed character themes for this wildly popular space adventure.

The orchestra selections paired combinations of the original film, “A New Hope,” and the more recent, “The Force Awakens.”

Beginning with the main theme that underscored the iconic story synopsis scroll in every movie, the brass once again used the Force. Much of Williams' music relies on brass. The equally majestic “March of the Resistance” followed.

Leading lady themes came next. “Rey's Theme” with its light and playful woodwind opening, reflects the innocence of this new character introduced in “The Force Awakens,” then builds to complexity.

“Leia's Theme” is more bittersweet with its oboe, flute and French horn threads. The orchestra seemed particularly passionate with this beautiful selection.

As in the “Star Wars” movies, quiet and calm don't last long and the “Scherzo for X-Wings” followed.

The star fighter battle waged between the brass playing main theme elements while the frantic strings captured the tension of the rebels taking on the Empire. The “Imperial March” followed, that ominous theme that introduced Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine. The orchestra's Jedi skills were apparent with the clarion brass, crispness of the strings, and impressive percussion in both these pieces.

Movie endings need memorable music as well, and the concert concluded with “The Jedi Steps,” when Rey finds Luke on the remote island in “The Force Awakens.” The more mysterious theme fits the long awaited return of Luke Skywalker.

The orchestra went directly to the Throne Room of the first movie. With its sweeping and majestic quality, it capped the movie adventure of the evening. When the end credits music concluded, the audience stood in appreciation, perhaps wanting a sequel.