Hull City Hall – 29th September 2022
Reviewed by Dawn Bennett
5*****
At the launch of the Hull City Hall Classics Season, we listened to a fabulous night of some of the film worlds most classic movie scores.
The conductor, Stephen Bell, led the orchestra through 60 years of the film worlds most iconic pieces.
They started with the main theme from The Big Country composed by Jerome Morross and we were transported to The Great Plains of America in the theme to this classic 1958 western.
Next, we had the Jurassic Park Main Theme composed by the brilliant John Williams.
Award winning John Barry Out of Africa Main Theme was fabulous, the violins particularly so.
The Great Escape march by Elmer Bernstein was the next piece. We had the concert arrangement of this epic tune, and the audiences’ whistles were very much encouraged by the conductor!
I See You from the Movie Avatar was the most up to date piece of music played, composed by James Horner we were listened to an orchestral arrangement of this classic James Cameron movie theme.
We had another classic this time Schindler’s List Main Theme with the music by John Williams. Tamas Andras (Orchestra Leader) played the violin solo with such feeling you could hear a pin drop.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Main Theme by Howard Stone took us back to Middle Earth with a rousing brass section.
Another classic John Williams composition next Harry’s Wondrous World from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone as a Harry Potter fan I could not believe this film is now 21 years old!
Finishing the first half was the epic 633 Squadron Main theme by Ron Goodwin with the fabulous brass section coming into their own.
The Main Theme from Superman opened the second half, another John Williams classic tune from the 1978 movie. The brass section introduction making this easily recognisable.
Another John Barry composition this time the Main Theme from Born Free winning the composer two Academy Awards for Best Song (with Don Black) and Best Original Score.
Changing the tone completely with Theme and Chase from Wallace and Gromit, composed by Julian Nott who also did Peppa Pig!
Saving Private Ryan Hymn to the Fallen again by John Williams was so beautifully played and very poignant.
The Main Theme from Gladiator by Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard, this concert arrangement was one of my favourite pieces of the concert.
Indiana Jones and The Raiders of the Lost Ark. Raiders March was instantly recognisable as another John Williams classic.
Chantal Webster Cello solo was magnificent in Hans Zimmer’s Pirates of the Caribbean Dean Man’s Chest: Jack Sparrow.
The last piece was another John Williams epic piece. Star Wars. Imperial March, Main Theme and Princess Leia’s theme with the wonderful soloists Sarah Bennett (flute) and Alex Edmundson (horn).
Stephen Bell (conductor) really kept us informed, giving us details on the pieces, and seeing them in a different light.
After a very well-deserved standing ovation, we were treated to the 40-year-old Flying Theme from ET. My friend, who has never seen a live orchestra before, called it “awesome” and it was!