Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra: Heroes & Legends, Pete Harrison (conductor)

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s adventurous spirit is admirable, with atypical programming such as a sci-fi focused concert last year and now this ‘Heroes and Legends’ themed evening. John Williams was understandably central to the performance, with the orchestra’s bold, gloriously smudged brass creating a fiery opening fanfare in ‘Summon The Heroes’. Tan Dun’s ‘The Eternal Vow’ from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was a gorgeous tonal shift with fragile lead cello from Jesper Svedberg,, whereas the technicolour swirl of Maurice Jarre’s ‘Doctor Zhivago’ was triumphant.

The orchestra also brought pieces to life that might have sounded more schmaltzy on record such as Randy Edelman’s ‘Dragonheart’, whereas Stephen Barton’s ‘Trust Me’ from video game Titanfall 2 was the most striking piece of the evening: a stunning, wild cacophony. Pete Harrison’s presenting and conducting is also a coup for the company, with infectious enthusiasm and keen but not overlong audience interaction creating a brilliant atmosphere. A classical concert with a difference.

Concert Hall, Brighton Dome, 24 April 2017

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