6rammy-winning conductor to direct orchestra at Silent Film Benefit
Conductor Richard Kaufman
Richard Kauman and
orchestra will make
history at Benefit
COURTESY OF THE
CATALINA ISLAND MUSEUM
For the first time in the history
of the Catalina Island Museum
Silent Film Benefit, the feature
film "City Lights" will be accom-
panied by a full symphony orches-
tra in the Avalon Casino Theatre
on May 17. The orchestra will
perform the film's original score
written by Charlie Chaplin him-
self. Directing the orchestra is
Grammy Award-winning conduc-
tor Richard Kaufman.
The Catalina Island Museum
recently sat down with Kaufman
to discuss his background, per-
forming City Lights and his con-
nection to Catalina Island.
How were you introduced to
the symphony?
My parents loved music. I was
seven, and one afternoon I walked
into my house after playing base-
ball with my friends. There was a
lady sitting in our living room. My
mother said, "This is Mrs. Hewitt,
your violin teacher." I think the
first thing I probably said was
"what's a violin?" Mrs. Hewitt
was very patient and inspiring,
and it was a wonderful beginning
to a life surrounded by music.
Did you play in a symphony
prior to becoming a conductor?
As a young musician growing
up in Los Angeles, there were a
few excellent youth orchestras. I
was fortunate to be a member of
the Peter Meremblum California
Jr. Symphony. It was an amazing
orchestra, and the opportunity to
be a part of that group made a
dramatic impact on what direction
my life would take in music. Later
on, as a professional, I played in
various orchestras in Los Angeles,
and also in the studios.
Other than classical or sym-
phony music, what type of music
do you enjoy ?
I love film music, and always
have. The opportunity to play vio-
lin on many original film scores
including "Jaws" (and five other
John Williams scores) was indeed
thrilling.
And having worked for three
years at 20th Century Fox, and
then for 18 years supervising music
at MGM gave me the chance to
work .wj, and get to know, many
of Holry;ood's finest composers.
Those years were fun, challeng-
ing, exciting, and memorable!
Conductor Richard Kaufman during a pops performance with the Pacific Symphony. Photo
courtesy of the Catalina Island Museum
As a conductor you have had
the honor of winning a Grammy.
What was the winning perfor-
mance?
I conducted a recording with
the Nuremberg Symphony of
music that included the Concerto
for Viola and Orchestra by Miklos
Rozsa, as well as film and con-
cert music by Lee Holdridge.
The Grammy was in the cate-
gory of "Best Pop Instrumental
Performance".
Have you Feceived any other
prestigious awards or honors?
During my time at MGM, I
received two Emmy Award nomi-
nations. A couple of years ago,
my Alma Mater California State
University at Northridge, hon-
ored me with the "Distinguished
Alumni Award." I have a feel-
ing that they probably didn't look
closely at my college grade point
average, hut nonetheless, it was
so gratify to be remembered by a
school that gave me so much, both
personally and professionally.
This year you are conduct-
ing three different orchestras
to accompany Chaplin's origi-
nal score for "City Lights" in
Chicago, San Francisco and
Avalon. Can you tell us about
this experience?
Every orchestra is different.
The Chicago Symphony is very
simply one of the greatest orches-
tras on the planet.
The way in which they per-
formed the music for City Lights
was truly memorable. The audi-
ence thoroughly enjoyed the film,
laughing throughout and even
shedding tears at the end.
Throughout your career you
have worked' with a number of
famous musicians and actors.
Do yo u ILave a favorite?
I have been blessed to conduct
for many wonderful singers and
instrumentalists. I conducted for
John Denver for over 20 years,
and for Andy Williams for over
30 years. Both were not only great
artists, but wonderful human
beings.
They loved performing, and
they loved giving each and every
one of their audiences a great per-
formance every time. And both
loved performing with symphony
orchestras.
They respected the musicians,
and the musicians held a tre-
mendous mutual .respect for both
John and Andy. As a conductor,
it couldn't get any better than
working with two legends who
were also truly genuine and lovely
people.
You mentioned that you have
been to Catalina Island in the
past. When was your first trip?
-I used to come to Emerald Bay
as a Boy Scout for summer camp.
It was so much fun (except When
I put on that big round diving hel-
met and went down to the bottom
only to come face-to-face with
my first eel. I could have done
without that and I'm sure the eel
felt the same). We would have
canoe races to the Isthmus that
were fantastic.
I also remember sneaking out
of camp at night and climbing
up a hill with my portable radio
to listen to the Dodger games
while looking at the lights of the
mainland.
In a way, it was a magical time,
and could only have happened in a
place like Catalina.
Museum Page 11
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THE CATALINA ISLANDER Friday, April 25, 201417
