“Duh-dun... Duh-dun... Dun-dun-dun-dun-dun-dun-dun-dun...” Of all the collaborations between director Steven Spielberg and composer John Williams, in a partnership spanning 40 years and over 30 films, we’d wager a shark’s fin that Jaws is the most iconic. That menacing theme is now a watchword for impending doom. But somehow, Williams’ timeless score has never been performed live alongside the film – until now.
London’s Royal Albert Hall has made a bit of a name for itself with film-and-orchestra screenings of late (recent outings include Aliens, Harry Potter and Interstellar). For this year’s Festival of Film, the gigantic auditorium will play host to John Williams’ iconic score performed in full by the BBC Concert Orchestra. The film concert – a world premiere – will also reinstate three pieces of music written by John Williams for the 1975 film but ultimately excised from the finished product, restored to the movie with the permission of Spielberg and the composer.
The October festival also includes a Michael Giacchino 50th birthday bash (with highlights from Rogue One, Lost, The Incredibles, Star Trek, Inside Out, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and Up); a tribute to the late, great James Horner (as suggested by his regular former collaborator James Cameron); and an orchestral screening of The Addams Family, another premiere. “After the success of last year’s inaugural Festival of Film, we’re delighted to present an even bigger, better programme for 2017” said the Royal Albert Hall’s Artistic Director, Lucy Noble, in a statement.
We’d say “you’re going to need a bigger concert hall”, but that would be unnecessary. The Royal Albert Hall is absolutely massive. The Festival of Film starts from 20 October; tickets and more details can be found on the Royal Albert Hall website.