Music
Space Spectacular with the RSNO
Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow
Jonathan Geddes
Four stars
GLASGOW audiences clearly cannot get enough of John Williams. The RSNO’s yearly takes on Williams are regular sell-outs, and here was a space themed showcase that placed the composer’s work front and centre, with Jean-Claude Picard acting as conductor.
He made the obvious joke about only getting the job because of his similar name to a certain captain of the Enterprise, but his boundless energy and good humour proved more pertinent, whether dressing as a Jedi master in the encore or leading the crowd in a countdown chant-along to Thunderbirds Are Go, complete with pyrotechnics.
Although the biggest draw might have been the opportunity to revel in memories of cinema and TV, there was also a pleasing diversity about the choices, which sprinkled in more traditional classical pieces. Therefore 2001: A Space Odyssey provided both Sunrise from Also Sprach Zarathustra and the Blue Danube Waltz, a more mellow moment among often muscular pieces, while Holst’s The Planets were touched upon with Jupiter and a particularly dynamic Mars.
The more familiar crowd-pleasers included a fine medley from Star Trek, and a selection of Williams work. The Phantom Menace might be spoken of bitterly by some Star Wars fans, but Duel of the Fates from its finale retains a visceral intensity, and there was a pleasing contrast between the always formidable Imperial March and the gentle hopefulness of Princess Leia’s Theme, given extra poignancy by the sad passing of Carrie Fisher days before.
There was even room for an appearance by Darth Vader and two Stormtroopers during the first encore, before a rousing take on another Williams favourite, the Superman Theme, gave a fittingly soaring finale.
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