SONGS can last forever but, sadly, not those who create them.
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A Wodonga concert next week will recognise the contribution of some great and late musicians in the best possible way – performing their works.
Back to Life – Tribute to the Lost Legends of Music will feature songs made famous by musicians including Prince, David Bowie, Amy Winehouse, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, The Beatles and The Mamas and The Papas.
Three Murray Conservatorium ensembles, Still Got The Blues, Nathan Vaccaro Trio and the 21C orchestra, will present the 90-minute program.
Nathan Vaccaro said the death of a number of musical giants in recent years had sparked the idea for this theme.
“I wanted to put together a concert that pays tribute to some of the great people who have inspired musicians,” he said. “Each conductor or director have picked works that have meant a lot to them personally, so I think that will make it a really special show.
“Everything from a standard rock band, like guitar, brass, drums, all the way to a full-sized orchestra.”
Vaccaro said Prince’s death last year had led him to re-engage with the artist’s music and admire again his skill on guitar.
“I guess he’s famous for electronic-sounding music, but when he played live, his guitar was a real feature,” Vaccaro said. “(The legends) definitely shaped the way I play music and the way I try to be a music teacher as well.”
Gregory Lewis, who conducts 21C, said his orchestra comprised about 30 students and music teachers who would present six songs from the 1960s.
“I like the melodies, I like the harmonies from that era,” he said.
Three selections were composed by The Beatles, whose innovative arrangements combined well with orchestral instruments.
“When The Beatles started writing, everyone had a band with three guitars, drums and somebody singing,” Lewis said.
“Well, The Beatles went into the recording studio and did different things.”
The audience at The Cube will be able to hear this in songs like Eleanor Rigby, which features The Beatles’ original string parts.