Hollywood Symphony Orchestra

"A Streetcar Named Desire," the film version, set to sensuous jazz notes. "Death in Venice," the Dirk Bogarde classic, pierced by Gustav Mahler's haunting "Adagietto." The exquisite textures of John Williams' score for "Memoirs of a Geisha." When you think of a favorite film, its music may not be the first thing you remember, but hear a certain theme and those big-screen images are likely to spring vividly to mind. But can movie music hold its own as concert repertoire?

"A Streetcar Named Desire," the film version, set to sensuous jazz notes. "Death in Venice," the Dirk Bogarde classic, pierced by Gustav Mahler's haunting "Adagietto." The exquisite textures of John Williams' score for "Memoirs of a Geisha." When you think of a favorite film, its music may not be the first thing you remember, but hear a certain theme and those big-screen images are likely to spring vividly to mind. But can movie music hold its own as concert repertoire?

Arnold Schoenberg was one of Los Angeles' most famous emigres. He moved here at age 60 in 1934 and remained until his death in 1951. Although he wrote some important music in America, his main influence on local musical life was through his teaching and his presence, because his music wasn't heard all that much.

Arnold Schoenberg was one of Los Angeles' most famous emigres. He moved here at age 60 in 1934 and remained until his death in 1951. Although he wrote some important music in America, his main influence on local musical life was through his teaching and his presence, because his music wasn't heard all that much.

The often-floated idea that symphonic film music needs more exposure just doesn't wash. Thanks to multiplexes and DVDs, more people hear the symphonic music of John Williams than Mozart and Beethoven combined. Such ensembles as the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra and regional outfits regularly, even lovingly, play film scores of past and present.

The Hollywood Bowl season opened Friday night with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Assn.'s 4th annual Hall of Fame Gala, once again celebrating the induction of a group of artists into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame. Three of the acts -- singer Roger Daltrey (of the rock band the Who), the Smothers Brothers comedy-music duo and Broadway diva Patti Lupone -- were on hand to perform.

John Hendrik teGroen, a drummer, bandleader and musicians union executive who organized concerts for servicemen during World War II and helped rescue the financially foundering Hollywood Bowl, has died. He was 94. TeGroen died Friday in Los Angeles, said his daughter, Claire teGroen.

The summer season at the Hollywood Bowl kicked off in spectacular fashion Friday with the annual opening night gala, a program celebrating the past and presaging the future of the fabled venue. And although the concert wasn't scheduled to begin until 8:30 p.m, by 7 p.m. a full-house crowd had already started the festivities with catered dinners in the box area and free-floating picnicking in the upper tiers.