Introduction

I am thrilled to welcome you to this evening’s concert featuring some of the greatest film score themes from the past 60 years, performed by the full force of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, and hosted by radio and TV presenter, Petroc Trelawny.

Many movie themes are so iconic that the tunes have become almost more well-known than the films they accompany. It is testament to the skill of the composers whose music you will hear this evening that they are able to conjure up a world or a particular character through the language of music. Movie theme tunes can be unforgettable by their sheer size and scale or conversely by their intimacy and simplicity. We will explore Hollywood classics, such as Elmer Bernstein’s sweeping theme for the 1960’s The Magnificent Seven, coming almost up to date with Laura Karpman’s 2023 heroic theme for The Marvels, Higher. Further. Faster. Together.

It is perhaps no surprise that the music of John Williams appears more than once in this programme. No other film composer has displayed quite such an imaginative and diverse palette of unforgettable melodies, whether it be to portray wizards, outer space or real-life events. The production companies behind tonight’s films also have their own musical signatures – perhaps one of the most familiar is the fanfare which renowned Hollywood composer Alfred Newman wrote in 1933 for 20th Century Fox Studios. We also pay tribute to Britain’s most famous spy, assorted book adaptations and prominent historical events as well as superheroes, science-fiction and the charm of animated films. This really is a programme for the most stalwart of film buffs! I hope you enjoy hearing some familiar tunes as well as discovering some new gems of movie music.

Ben Parry
Conductor