As the audience enjoys Carl Davis conducting the National Symphony Orchestra in his program, “The Music of James Bond,” at Wolf Trap on Thursday, they not only will hear the larger-than-life movie scores and theme songs, but also, they will receive an enlightening lesson in British/American pop culture.
The program, developed by Davis (a prolific composer of movie and television scores in his own right), presents a thrilling tribute to the international man of espionage by way of the films’ composers from Lionel Bart to Bill Conti to John Barry and Burt Bacharach.
“In an introduction before each piece, I tell a bit of history because the films [were] spot on with where we were in politics, fashion and style at the time,” Davis said. “The glamorous Bond figure has changed over the years, so the music reflects this — from the ballad style of the ’60s to the idea of Paul McCartney writing the [theme] songs, then moving on to R&B with songs like ‘License to Kill’ and then the ’80s with Duran Duran composing ‘A View to a Kill.’ ”
The Bond production is divided in two parts. Musical scores and songs include “The James Bond Theme” from “Dr. No” as well as title themes from “Goldfinger,” “You Only Live Twice,” “Thunderball,” “Diamonds are Forever,” “Live and Let Die” and “From Russia with Love.”
If you go
The Music of James Bond
Where: Wolf Trap Filene Center, 1645 Trap Road, Vienna
When: 8:15 p.m. Thursday
Info: $20 to $52; wolftrap.org
“The James Bond franchise is a cultural emblem, a continuity series of action films lasting four decades,” said Emil de Cou, conductor for the Wolf Trap Festival. “Choosing your favorite Bond actor is easy (Sean Connery), choosing your favorite Bond score is not.” And what about the unforgettable vocals, the bands on the 33 rpm records that often got the most wear?
Songstress Mary Carewe sings many of these vocals, such as “You Know My Name,” “Nobody Does it Better,” “The Look of Love” and “We Have All the Time in the World.”
“Carewe is a wonderful singer,” Davis continued. “She’s not exactly doing impersonations of Shirley Bassey or Carly Simon, but she gives you the feeling of them — something to look forward to.”
And if there can be one unifying factor in the Bond music, it is hardly a matter of argument.
“What brings these songs together is a propulsive energy that leads us on each adventure in our favorite spy’s story, music designed to leave us shaken and stirred.”
