Review: BBC Proms 38 - Film Music - Royal Albert Hall, London

This was my first ever visit to the Royal Albert Hall and the Proms, and what a great evening.
A mixture of music from the great film composers of our time.
Keith Lockhart conducting the BBC Concert Orchestra, and boy did they sound good!

Opening the evening with music by Bernard Herrman, we had three pieces including the Citizen Kane Overture, with Violin from the brilliant Chloe Hanslip. Her tone and control were magnificent and she played with great emotion.



Next up was Cinema Paradiso by Ennio & Andrea Morricone, a short piece played nicely by the orchestra.
This then led into Henry V - Suite, five pieces interspersed with dialogue from Rory Kinnear.
For me this got a bit tedious and quite frankly dull, the music wasn't inspiring either, but that's just me!

After a refreshing drink in the interval, we were treated to the Star Wars Theme by the renowned film composer John Williams. The brass were particularly outstanding, brilliant to see live.
Schindlers List Theme, and Hedwig's Theme from Harry Potter followed, again played wonderfully, it was just like being at the movies!
Johnny Greenwood's Norwegian Wood then led to the brilliant Sir Richard Rodney Bennett's Murder On The Orient Express.
Now this was great, some nice waltz pieces and the sound taking you back to the 1930's with great effect.

Last but not least was the music from John Barry, Out Of Africa Love Theme leading to the highlight of the show for me, James Bond music!
On Her Majesty's Secret Service, into Goldfinger, leading into Casino Royale 'He Knows My Name', even the cellist's rocking out and spinning their cello's in the drum fills, it was brilliant to watch.
The guitar of the main Bond Theme, the squeaky brass, the long hot melodies and even the bongos added to a great piece.



Encore of The Good, The Bad and The Ugly ended a great evening.
Well done to all involved, a fantastic night of music, which is great to see live at the Royal Albert Hall.