Review: London Film Music Orchestra Presents The Best of Hans Zimmer and John Williams at Middlesbrough Town Hall
London Film Music Orchestra Presents The Best of Hans Zimmer and John Williams by Moonlight
Middlesbrough Town Hall, 16th June 2023
I have been to this venue a couple of times now. The first time was to see Jason Manford last year and then again this evening. I have to say that it does not really lend itself well to performance. It is a glorified school hall and you cannot help getting the feeling that you are sitting waiting for an assembly. The acoustics for Jason Manford left a lot to be desired,and this evening the sound technicians must have been pulling their hair out to get a decent balance. This was evident at the start of the performance where the audience should have been greeted with booming timpanis to announce the 20th Century Fox jingle – but sadly were not.
The sound did improve as the night progressed and it takes nothing away from the wonderful performance of the London Film Music Orchestra who were enchanting as they played the music of two of the most prolific film composers of the 20th century and beyond.
The set, as the title of the show suggests, is a beautiful full moon which hangs above the orchestra’s heads. Fittingly, the evening starts with a suite from John Williams’ score from the classic Steven Spielberg movie ET and the audience was captivated from the word go with music from Memoirs of a Geisha, Indiana Jones, The Man of Steeland Star Wars.
The orchestra is led magnificently by Rossi Dushevawho also plays the piano during the performance. The manager and violinist is Valentin Anchez Piñeroand he is a joy to watch as he is obviously thoroughly enjoying his work alongside concert master and violinist Kellija Moncaka.
The thing that makes this performance so special is the youthful demographic of the orchestra. There ismuch talent on one stage. I was particularly impressed with the steps put in by the two rhythm and tuned percussionists who get a very good work out during this production. Special praise has to go to the cellist whose solo from Gladiator, accompanied by Dusheva, was quite stunning and also to the whole ensemble for their unexpected but very welcome encore which had the audience on their feet at the end of a wonderful performance.
The London Film Music Orchestra returns to The Tyne Theatre and Opera House on 29th September 2023 and I have no doubt that the opulence of this historic venue will be much more suited to this superb evening of classical entertainment. Tickets available from the link below:
– Stephen Stokoe