Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review
The Bardi Symphony Orchestra gave the audience an afternoon to remember with their Greatest Movie Themes concert at De Montfort Hall.
At the first concert of their 40th Anniversary season, the audience were treated to an adventure through various genres of film music - comedy, sci-fi, romance, and adventure all featured.
Conducted by George Morton, the orchestra opened with the theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey. A great opener, the well known 3 note phrase, then timpani and the hall's organ, represented the Dawn of Man. From Space to Skies for Ron Goodwin's 633 Squadron, the memorable and beautifully played theme, reminding us of the bravery of the air crews who took part in the wars.
After an evocative performance of the Prelude and Love Theme from Ben-Hur, we were taken to the Bates Motel for Bernard Herrmann's iconic Prelude from Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho, a theme that has us fearful of having a shower alone!
Next followed one of my favourite themes, John Barry's Out of Africa. Gorgeously played string melodies and sweeping phrases made us feel like we were in the plains of Africa. Following this was a trip to France for the theme from Chocolat and then a trip to the American West for Elmer Bernstein's The Magnificent Seven. The brass and percussion provoked horses riding across the plains, whilst quieter passages evoked the Mexican countryside. Following this was Ennio Morricone's Cinema Paradiso, with great work from the strings and celesta.
To end the first half, Korngold's Suite To The Sea Hawk demonstrated the orchestra's versatility for fanfares and elaborate woodwind phrases, taking us over the waves.
John Williams' Superman Theme opened the 2nd half with the brass section distinguishing itself within the theme. Hans Zimmer's theme from the Sci-Fi film Interstellar found the orchestra building to a crescendo against the ticking of time.
It couldn't be a movie theme concert without the music of James Bond. John Barry's Suite did not disappoint, with the breathtaking strings of From Russia With Love to the outstanding brass in On Her Majesty's Secret Service. For a film series that is over 60 years old, there is no letting up in the popularity of the British icon.
A return to the sea for Klaus Badelt and Hans Zimmer's Pirates of the Caribbean Suite. The rich tones of the orchestra carried this music effortlessly. The finale to the concert was John Williams' ET theme. The brass section gave a glorious fanfare as we all remembered ET departing and the rainbow in the sky.
Following rapturous applause, the orchestra treated the audience with an encore of the John Williams theme from Indiana Jones, with conductor George Morton donning the iconic hat, jacket, and whip that the famous character dons. The brass section carried the theme's main melody, with the strings and woodwinds adding texture and depth, concluding a memorable afternoon at the movies.
The Bardi Symphony Orchestra gave a polished performance at the standard of any professional orchestra. Leicester should indeed be proud as the orchestra celebrates its 40th anniversary year.
The 40th Anniversary Concert takes place on Sunday 29th November at 3pm with Jonathan Lo conducting and a programme including the music of Gershwin, Rachmaninov, Mottram and Elgar. For more information and further details of the 40th anniversary season, visit https://www.bardi.org.uk/
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