Maestro of the Movies: A Tribute to John Williams
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
- Great for groups
- First-timer friendly
- Early finish
- Date
- Sat, 27 Mar 2027
- Time
- 19:30 · 2h 0m
- Venue
- Symphony Hall, Birmingham
- City
- Birmingham
- Conductor
- Anthony Gabriele
- Tickets
- from £42.5
You'll be taken to the ensemble's official site.
Summary
Anthony Gabriele conducts the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in a programme of John Williams’ film scores at Symphony Hall.
Why it's fantastic
Whether you grew up with the roar of a T-Rex or the hum of a lightsaber, these melodies define the modern cinematic imagination. This evening offers a chance to hear the full force of a live orchestra breathing life into the most recognisable film scores ever written for the screen.
Our guide to this performance
What you'll hear
The evening is dedicated to the prolific output of John Williams, whose compositions have shaped the sound of contemporary cinema for decades. You will hear how he uses the expansive palette of a full symphony orchestra to create distinct worlds, from the brassy, heroic fanfares of space adventures to the tense, rhythmic motifs of psychological thrillers. We can expect to hear his characteristic use of recurring themes, or leitmotifs, which anchor the narrative and help you identify specific characters through sound alone. The programme is designed to showcase the sheer scale of these scores, moving between moments of delicate woodwind intimacy and the thundering percussion that accompanies grand action sequences. Listen for the way the strings carry the emotional weight of his sweeping melodies, demonstrating why these works have become staples of the orchestral repertoire far beyond the cinema screen. The music shifts from the ethereal and mysterious to the overtly triumphant, providing a comprehensive survey of his influence on the art of film scoring.
Who's performing
The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra is a cornerstone of the UK’s musical landscape, celebrated for its versatility and its regular appearances at its home base, Symphony Hall. They are joined by conductor Anthony Gabriele, who is widely recognised for his expertise in synchronising live orchestral music with the demands of cinematic scores. Together, they bring a wealth of experience in high-precision performance, ensuring that the complex layers of these modern classics are delivered with clarity. The ensemble is known for its technical rigour and its ability to switch seamlessly between traditional classical works and popular contemporary programmes.
Planning your evening
This performance takes place at Symphony Hall in Birmingham, a venue renowned for its clear and responsive acoustics. The total running time is approximately 120 minutes, which usually includes a short interval. This is an ideal event if you are new to live orchestral music, as the melodies are likely to be familiar and the atmosphere is accessible. There is no formal dress code required, so you should feel comfortable in smart-casual attire. Please note that as this is a concert performance of film music, there are no surtitles or stage sets involved.
Written by the Bravura editorial team from the ensemble's published programme and venue information. We don't reproduce copy from box-office sites. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
