CityLife

Star Wars: In Concert

Star Wars: In Concert
MEN Arena
March 15, 2010

When you think of Star Wars, perhaps the first thing that always comes to mind is the films’ equally famous theme music. From that unforgettable emphatic opening blast, to the militaristic evil of the Imperial March, the much loved franchise is rife with memorable musical moments.

Originally composed by the legendary John Williams, the score for the first Star Wars film, A New Hope, actually went on to win an Oscar, a Golden Globe, a BAFTA and a Grammy. Such accolades are testament to the painstaking work that Williams put into composing his elaborate soundtrack.

Film music has a tendency to be overlooked by audiences at times, but tonight’s show is a fitting celebration of the music from all six Star Wars films and goes some way to emphasizing the remarkable impact the various pieces have upon the movies as a whole.

Over the course of two hours, the captivated audience is treated to a unique blend of music (courtesy of the London Philharmonic Orchestra no less), actual movie footage and a host of lights and lasers to boot. The event is clearly meticulously planned out, with the music and visuals combining effortlessly to provide a condensed overview of the entire saga’s plot lines.

Memorable scenes like the pod race from A Phantom Menace, or the daring rescue at the beginning of Return Of The Jedi, look better than ever on the Arena’s big screen. In between the various musical interludes, Anthony Daniels, old C-3PO himself, fills in the blanks and does a superb job of linking the whole show together.

As you’d expect from the esteemed London Philharmonic, the compositions are brilliantly played and have never been more dramatic. It is a truly unique experience to see a big band rendition of the cantina band music from Episode IV played by these exceptional musicians.

The show as a whole is perhaps only going to interest the more ardent of Star Wars fans, but it really is an impressive spectacle that provides a fitting tribute to an iconic film and its equally iconic score.

All together now: Dum dum dum, dum der-dum, dum der-dum...

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