The London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) is one of the most famous orchestras in the world and the best orchestra for film music. At least, that’s what everyone always says. Until today, I had never had the chance to see and hear the LSO perform live.
The LSO is especially renowned for the music of Star Wars. They recorded the scores for the first six films conducted by John Williams.
This evening’s program focuses mainly on music from Hollywood’s Golden Age up to the 1960s, but also looks ahead to the 1970s and 80s.
From the very first moment the orchestra begins to play, you know you’re dealing with a completely different level. Apart from a few small mistakes, the performance is crystal clear. The hall at the Barbican enhances the sound beautifully. We were seated in the first row of the balcony, but even from there you could hear all the different instruments perfectly.
The conductor, Sir Antonio Pappano, regularly shared stories about the music. He also recalled memories of his experiences with certain composers, such as Ennio Morricone. That added an extra dimension to the experience.
Before the intermission, pieces were performed from Ben Hur, Vertigo, Laura, The Bad and the Beautiful, and Gone with the Wind. It was exceptional to hear these works, especially because they also chose pieces from the films that aren’t usually performed. Two movements from a violin concerto by Miklós Rózsa were also played. This is Rózsa’s own concert work and has no connection to film music. It was included to showcase the other qualities Rózsa possessed as a composer.
After the intermission, the second half of the concert began. Hearing the LSO perform was already a remarkable experience, but with the pieces from The Godfather and The Mission, it became unmistakably clear: This is an orchestra of exceptional class. From The Godfather, the “Waltz” was performed. This piece contains several long trumpet solos, which are extremely difficult to play, but they were executed with flawless precision from start to finish. I have never heard them played so beautifully. Then came “Gabriel’s Oboe” from The Mission. It features a long oboe solo—also not an easy piece—but the soloist played it wonderfully.
Together with the other works, the concert was already a special experience, but then came the absolute highlight.
As an encore, they played the opening theme from Star Wars. I knew from a reliable source that this piece was coming, but I was still blown away when they began. What an extraordinary moment to hear this music live, performed by the orchestra that recorded the original soundtrack. I’ve heard the music of Star Wars live many times, but never this beautifully. This was Star Wars the way it is meant to sound.
All in all, the concert was a beautiful and memorable experience. The LSO is an orchestra of exceptional quality and absolutely worth seeing live.
Concert information
Where: Barbican Theatre – London, United Kingdom
When: December 18, 2025
Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir Antonio Pappano
Program
- Miklós Rózsa
- “Prelude, The Mother’s Love” and “Parade of the Charioteers” – Ben Hur
- Movements 2 & 3 – Violin Concerto
- Bernard Herrmann
- “Scène d’amour” – Vertigo
- David Raskin
- “Laura” – Laura
- “Love is for the very Young (suite)” – The Bad and The Beautiful
- Max Steiner
- Music from Gone with the Wind
Intermission
- William Walton
- Suite – Henry V
- Nino Rota
- “Waltz” – The Godfather
- Ennio Morricone
- “Gabriel’s Oboe (concert version)” – The Mission
- “Cinema Paradiso (suite)” – Cinema Paradiso
- “Once Upon a Time in America (suite)” – Once Upon a Time in America
- John Williams
- “Main Theme” from Star Wars (encore)
