A composer of Academy Award-winning film scores has come to the aid of a Los Angeles pension fund.
On Feb. 24, John Williams - who composed scores for films including "Angela's Ashes," "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" and "Star Wars" - conducted the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra's "A 70th Birthday Celebration" performance, all of the net proceeds from which will go to the orchestra's $18 million pension fund, said a Philharmonic spokeswoman who declined to be identified. At press time, the final accounting for the concert was not complete.
The sold-out performance, in honor of Mr. William's 70th birthday, which was Feb. 7, included an appearance by Grammy Award-winning cellist Yo-Yo Ma. The Philharmonic has two pension fund concerts a year, although there are no plans for a second concert in 2002, said the spokeswoman, who added that scheduling would depend on artist availability.
