Paramount Scores

At Sunday's Hollywood Bowl performance, "The Big Picture: The Films of Paramount Pictures," composer David Newman reminisced about the music making of the '70s.

“Film composers were experimental during this era; their scores were more minimalist and eclectic versus the homogeneous sound from the ‘30s through the ‘50s." Newman told On the Town before stepping on stage to face the 100 degree heat and conduct the Bowl orchestra.

The evening began with host Leonard Nimoy greeting the crowd with the “Star Trek” Vulcan sign and went on to boast several orchestral highlights, including John Williams’ “Raiders of the Lost Ark” opening music synced to the film’s footage as well as a faux snowfall encore of Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas.”

But it was that ‘70s moment, which proved the most moving when four pianos, four harps, some percussions and a horn pierced the humidity with Jerry Goldsmith’s “Chinatown.” "There couldn’t be a more ‘composerly’ score," said Newman. "It starts with a pianist inside the piano and then the music spills like water." (A. D’Alessandro)