Blockbuster repertoire of classic film music comes to Herts on May 12
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A Hertfordshire orchestra is set to recreate classic movie scores from films like Harry Potter, Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Pirates of the Caribbean and James Bond.
The 80-piece de Havilland Philharmonic Orchestra (dHPO) is giving the concert on Sunday 12 May as part of the University of Hertfordshire’s annual music festival, Sonic Herts, which celebrates music from the stage and screen.
Under the leadership of dynamic conductor, Robin Browning, the orchestra will visit scores from contemporary giants including John Williams and Hans Zimmer, who are still writing music for films, plus Elmer Bernstein, John Barry, and many others.
The concert opens with the premiere performance of new work by University of Hertfordshire music student, William Donaldson. William is completing his studies towards a BSc (Hons) degree in Music Composition and Technology for Film & Games. This filmic work, titled Oceanic Voyage, was selected from several new compositions written for the dHPO by music students from the university’s School of Creative Arts this year.
A resident orchestra at the University of Hertfordshire, dHPO plays around half a dozen classical concerts every year and has enjoyed over 50 years of success.
The concert will take place on 12 May at 4pm at the 450-seater Weston Auditorium on the de Havilland campus at the University of Hertfordshire.
The following week, the University stages its largest ever event, the Festival of Ideas, at its College Lane campus on 17 and 18 May. The completely free, family-friendly event featuring more than 50 activities is available. Book now for the Festival of Ideas.
Inna Allen, Head of UH Arts + Culture, says:
“We are delighted to be teaming up with the Sonic Herts Festival to present something new to our audiences – playing well-known masterpieces from some of the most popular films of our time. The talented dHPO will tackle a diverse range of scores from both classic and contemporary cinema, and we hope spectators come away with a newfound appreciation for some of their best-loved favourites.”
Tickets are available between £6–£15 (FREE for carers and UH students) – from the website: www.uharts.co.uk or by calling the Box Office 01707 281 127 (open Mon-Fri 10:00-12:00).
Book your concert tickets here.
List of scores and composers:
- Elmer Bernstein – The Great Escape (Main Theme and highlights)
- Various composers – James Bond Suite
- John Williams – Harry Potter Suite
- John Williams – Riding the Hippogriff (Harry Potter)
- John Williams – Adventures on Earth (E.T.)
- Michael Giacchino – Star Trek into Darkness
- Hans Zimmer – Themes from Gladiator
- John Willliams – Jurassic Park
- Klaus Badelt – Pirates of the Caribbean
- John Williams – Star Wars Suite