The talented musician and composer, Randy Edelman’s brought down the house with his impeccable performance at Carnegie Hall this holiday. His beautiful music and storytelling were woven together like an extraordinary tapestry.
Edelman’s music is recognized across the spectrum of modern musical scores. During the show, many attendees turned to one another to say they did not know he wrote that particular score or hit song. Throughout his career, his music has been an irreplacable “character” within every series, TV or Film score he composed. One of the most notable and recognizable themes he composed was from the hit series, “McGyver”, which was met with vigorous applause.
The audience was filled with influential people from the world of film, music, art, media including Magic Coleman from the Original Drifters as well as “Lionel” of Lionel Nation, Sisi Cao of “Sisi Hollywood”, and multiple members of the UN. Last but not least, H.H. Dr. Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe’s presence illustrated the international reach of Edelman’s work.
Randy enchanted the audience as he shared heartfelt memories from his illustrious career including how famous singer Karen Carpenter recorded his song “You”. He performed his iconic “A Weekend In New England”, covered by Barry Manilow. There is a timelessness to his compositions, for example, “Isn’t It A Shame” recorded by Patti LaBelle, Shirley Bassey, and hip-hop star Nelly have and continue to have a tremendous impact on the music industry. The legendary Bing Crosby’s last recorded song was Edelman’s “The Woman On Your Arm”. Randy shared that this song was written for his grandparents. Imagine how proud his grandparents must have been to have received such a profound gift from their wonderfully talented grandson.
His inspired melodies helped bring many well-known films to life. A great score is as important in the telling of a story as a great actor or director. The audience was “wowed” as he played a medley of excerpts from his many recognizable scores beginning with “Gettysburg”, the epic Civil War battle written and directed by Ronald F. Maxwell and produced by Ted Turner to British director Alan Parker’s internment camp themed “Come See Then Paradise.” He continued with Dragonheart and The Bruce Lee Story both directed by Rob Cohen who flew in from Bali to attend. He then performed “Diabolique”, and finally Cora from “Last of the Mohicans” for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe before he performed compositions from “My Cousin Vinny”, “The Mask”, “While You Were Sleeping”, “Kindergarten Cop “, “Ghostbusters ll”, and “Billy Madison.” What an incredible body of work!
He exhibited his musical range performing whimsical songs like Joe Raposo’s Sesame Street hit “Bein’ Green” and then adding a stunning performance of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from the Broadway show Carousel.
He stirred the soul as he performed Robert Schumann’s “Intermezzo.” The German composer was widely regarded as one of the greatest composers of his time. One could not help but recognize, as Randy flawlessly performed his own works, that he is is one of the greatest musicians of our time.
Randy swept the audience up on a “magical mystery tour” as he described great moments from his earliest years as a young, musical talent to his collaborations with legendary musicians, actors, directors and so much more. The audience recognized the incredible array of compositions whether written for great singers like Bing Crosby, Barry Manilow, Olivia Newton John, Karen Carpenter or great film scores from “My Cousin Vinny”, “Dragonheart”, “Last of the Mohicans”, and TV series, McGyver. Edelman’s close of show was met with a standing ovation. He went on to do an encore met with great enthusiasm. For the few who did not know him by name, before the show, they realized they had heard his music for many years without knowing his name. Randy is one of a kind. His brilliant and inspirational performance was interwoven with his fireside, conversational style as he shared the tales and highlights of his musical journey. Not only was the audience immersed in his extraordinary music one felt like they were invited into Randy’s heart.
There was a beautiful reception, after the show, where the audience members were invited to meet the artist. Edelman was honored with an award from the United Nations recognizing his achievements as an artist and humanitarian. The honor was bestowed by Her Excellency Ambassador Monica Sanchez, whose involvement exemplified the global dimension of the achievement. His music has traveled across the world through film, television, advertising and live performance, inspiring the emotional life of a story so the honor was richly deserved.
Edelman’s film compositions illustrate the power of his music to remain a precious memory in your spirit long after experiencing it. Edelman’s beautiful family, award winning composer, Jackie DeShannon, his son, Gabriel, daughter-in-law, Alison Edelman, and his precious granddaughters made the evening truly poignant. And, many of those invited were friends and longtime fans of the great composer so the evening felt more like a celebration with Edelman’s extended family.
The evening was magical, from start to finish, with standing ovations, a reception that included international recognition, and the audience of cherished friends and lovers of Edelman’s work assembling to make an evening as special as his outstanding work. What a way to commemorate this beautiful time of year!
Special thanks to photographers, Paul Prince and Charles Wills for their outstanding coverage of the evening.
