Our reviewer Kevin Stanley flew in the Millennium Falcon, marched alongside Darth Vader and visited the Ewoks on the planet of Endor in a galaxy far, far away…
If you’re a Star Wars fan, there’s only one place to be in Nottingham tonight as The Hallé orchestra play pieces of spectacular music from the “Star Wars” saga. Some people are even in “Star Wars” costumes - including eleven year old Luke who is dressed up as Darth Maul, he gets a shout out as it is his birthday today. There’s a real sense of excitement in the air for a lively and enjoyable evening of out of this world music.
Conductor, Stephen Bell walks onto the stage wearing a Darth Vader helmet - to cheers and laughs from the audience. He wears it as he leads The Hallé through the "Star Wars Main Theme”. A perfect way to begin the evening.
Presenter, Tom Redmond, is also a huge “Star Wars” fan. He introduces each section by explaining what we are about to hear. He speaks quickly and offers up lots of in-depth information and occasionally personal anecdotes about each of the nine movies, the themes, characters and music. He’s a real fan, like everyone in the audience.
Also in attendance are the 80-strong Nottingham University Choir who add choral singing to a couple of the earlier pieces of music. Dressed head to toe in black they take up their place in the appropriately named Choir Stalls behind and above the main stage - seats you rarely see filled - they are being put to good use this evening.
John Williams is a composer from another world
It would be easy to believe that John Williams is a composer from another world. His oeuvre is simply stunning. Williams has not only composed music for all of the “Star Wars’ movies he’s also scored countless cinematic masterpieces including ‘Home Alone’ (playful), 'Superman” (heroic and brassy) and “Harry Potter’ (mystical and magical) and many of Stephen Spielberg’s films including “Jaws” (terrifying), “E.T.” (jaunty, heartfelt and otherworldly), “Schindler’s List” (sombre and poignant), “Jurassic Park” (awesome and rugged) and Indiana Jones (adventurous and triumphant) - all of which are of course outrageously popular, thanks in no small part because of the amazing orchestral scores.
Williams is the son of a jazz musician and it shows, he’s able to adapt his style effortlessly to any genre of film and has been able to create futuristic music to score light sabre battles in outer-space, but also to create gentle and meditative scores for the likes of “Memoirs of a Geisha", or “Far and Away”. He’s not just good at what he does - he’s the undisputed master of movie music. And even at 93 years of age he’s still composing and creating music. And he’s lost nothing of his brilliance, or verve with age, he’s as fresh now as ever.
None of these films would have been what they were without the music. Music sets a tone and creates an atmosphere. Music helps to tell the story. If you watched a film without the music it would feel flat and dull. Music elevates a movie and John Williams’ music lifts movies into the stratosphere - virtually into outer-space.
What would Darth Vader be without “The Imperial March Theme” playing - the combination of brass and strings make Vader truly terrifying. What would the Cantina scene from without the jaunty echo swing theme created by a combination of orchestral bells, xylophone and vibraphone? It’s genius… and completely unforgettable. Both are played tonight and they are glorious!
A perfect example of the brilliance of Williams’ musical composition skills
The Star Wars saga makes extensive use of the leitmotifs that represents the various characters. So, it is only fitting that several of these themes are played this evening. “Anakin’s Theme” is played. as is “Luke and Leia’s Theme” - a piece of music that Willaims wrote with the intention of it scoring romantic scenes, only to later find out - like everyone else that Luke and Leia are of course estranged siblings. “Yoda’s Theme” is also played and Bell has his own Yoda on the Conductor’s Podium. The theme was used twice in The Empire Strikes Back, first on Dagobah and second during the hallway shootout scenes on Cloud City.
A perfect example of the brilliance of Williams’ musical composition skills is “Leia’s Theme” which begins with a flute playing the main melody, accompanied by the strings of the harp and the violas, before it moves onto the French horn and Oboe. It’s a gorgeous theme. Light, bright and playful, with complex harmonies. It is memorable and instantly recognisable as both Star Wars and Williams. As the music swells the rest of the orchestra join in, before the short violin solo at the end. It’s tender, but powerful - just like Princess Leia herself.
We’ve heard music from each of the nine movies. But it feels like something is missing. Bell speaks quietly and conspiratorially with Redmond and they come up with a plan for an encore. Bell tells us: “The best music is always written for the villain”, and The Hallé treat the audience to “The Imperial March” (“Darth Vader’s Theme”) to a thoroughly deserved standing ovation.
The Hallé Film Music Concert: The Star Wars Saga performed at the Royal Concert Hall Nottingham on Friday 4 April 2025.
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