An incredible experience to play back-up violin for Johnny Mathis at the Luther Burbank Performance Arts Center in Santa Rosa, CA!  He is a genuine gentleman in the truest sense… gentile, laid back, ultra-professional, kind, even humorously self-effacing.

Rehearsal moments:

I remember working with him and Johnny Mandel on an album 1990-ish.  His signature voice still has that mellow, mellifluous quality and introverted expressivity that gained him fame (think Chances Are ).   He is of that uncommon crooner talent shared with Harry Belafonte, Nat King Cole, Perry Como & Johnny Nash.

A funny side note:  My son Bren, 9, is fascinated with superheroes (especially Batman!), so I have introduced him to some old-time characters including Hercules.  I had always believed that Johnny Mathis had recorded the exuberant and beautifully-performed theme song for the Hercules cartoon and I was going to compliment Mr. Mathis at rehearsal.  Thank the stars I was stopped from mentioning it to Mr. Mathis as my Google Search revealed that the song was sung by Johnny Nash, a popular American reggae and pop singer.  Click to check out the Mighty Hercules theme…

So much tinsel, so little time … What does a Tahitian goddess, a forgetful blue tang, a couple superheros, an omnipresent actor/spy, S & M and 2 very bored futuristic space travelers have in common?  Glad you asked!

Below are some pictures capturing moments from the music-making of some of these flix.  Can you tell who’s who?

Highlights include working with Thomas Newman, Steven Spielberg, Mark Mancina and especially John Lasseter.  Here he extolls the orchestra for their ability to capture the magic of the South Pacific, adding “I want everyone who sees this picture to feel like they have just been on vacation to Tahiti!”

Richard (Violin) can be seen just behind and to the left of Danny Elfman in this spirited reprise of “Dead Man’s Party” / Oingo Boingo from Hollywood Bowl!

Hollywood Bowl just 2 lonely hours before concert:

Richard’s Piano work, The Jester’s Waltz, received Honorable Mention (only American awarded!) in the most recent Opus Dissonus Competition. World-renowned pianist, Artur Cimirro, will be recording the work and performing it on recital programs in order to disseminate the piece internationally!

Here are the words from the pianist: “First, let me congratulate you for your award, I’m Artur Cimirro, composer and pianist … I’ll be working in your funny Jester’s Waltz … We are building a kind of database of quality contemporary piano music – and you are part of it now – this is one historic moment we are building, we hope you will build it with us.  I hope my words touch the deep or your heart and art, I’ll be very happy to promote and spread your work over the world …”

In  2014, Bidwell’s Path was designated a Finalist / Instrumental Music Category in the UK Songwriting Contest. More recently, Richard’s song Warrior’s Hymn was designated a Finalist.  4 of his other songs are considered Semi-Finalists: Stefan’s Song, Chicxulub: Dinosaur Musings on the Meaning of Life,  Losing Love & Faerie’s Embrace.

This “horror” (comedy) movie was a blast to work on!  Danny Elfman hitting the musical chords (need I say more?), and Jack Black creating a hilariously hateable father character.

Pretty goofy stuff, but fun for even young teens, I think… (don’t take my word for it, research!)

IMDb explains plot:

“A teenager teams up with the daughter of young adult horror author R.L. Stine after the writer’s imaginary demons are set free on the town of Greendale, Maryland.”

Working on Robert Zemeckis‘ epic and awe-inspiring movie, the Walk, was exhilarating. Alan Silvestri’s score “soars”, appropriately enough.

Here is IMDb’s blurb on the upcoming film:

“In 1974, high-wire artist Philippe Petit recruits a team of people to help him realize his dream: to walk the immense void between the World Trade Center towers.”  (Yeah, you know, the structures destroyed by our militant extremist friends…  Hey let’s treat.)

I will never forget the incredible, transcendental and magical scene in which the fearless tightrope-walker, Philippe, lies down on his back onto the wire, effortlessly balancing while he encounters a passing seagull… peaceful yet astounding.

InConcert Sierra’s attitude toward making music is truly novel: play music people want to hear! (Click on photo below for sample:)

Conductor Ken Hardin and Concertmaster Richard Altenbach put on a fund-raising concert every season featuring musical selections chosen by the audience!  The result this September 20, 2015 included Respighi’s Ancient Airs & Dances, the Blue Danube, and most poignantly, the slow movement from Dvorak’s New World Symphony.

This approach always leads to a successful financial campaign allowing the organization to pursue its lofty goals (such as sponsoring Joshua Bell’s recital in October! and securing individual patron sponsorship OF EVERY SINGLE CHAIR in the ORCHESTRA!!)  Thank you to our sponsors and community…

Clue to music programmers:  Ummm, it was a smash hit.

Great sketch of the InConcert Sierra Orchestra by Elly Gould!

September 25, 2015 Richard had the pleasure of playing with Kristin Chenoweth and her 4-man traveling band at Weill Hall, Green Center, Sonoma State University.  A small string section indeed: 2 violins, 1 cello.  This concert was part of the Summer Lawn Series, very beautiful setting.

Her personality, professionalism and charisma were inspiring.  Known for her sweet high notes, intonation was flawless, power amazing (she is 4’11” tall, and very petite) and most importantly expressivity uncommon.  The highlight of the concert for me was the lovely piano / voice rendition of Bring Him Home from Les Miserables which along with selections from Wicked, brought down the house!

at rehearsal with the charming Kristin: