OBSERVER: The Force Awakens
The Force Awakens, sequel to The Return of the Jedi and the first of the three Star Wars films in the sequel trilogy, is said to be the most expensive film ever made.
It is fitting, therefore, that the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra turned its immense talent to performing John Williams’ Grammy Award-winning score live for an appreciative audience packed into Hamer Hall.
As the well-loved, familiar fanfare fills the auditorium, an evil Sith Lord arrives onstage.
Ditching the helmet, the evil master is revealed as conductor Benjamin Northey, much to the delight of the audience.
Meanwhile, in a galaxy far, far away on the distant planet Jakku, a Rebel Alliance resistance fighter pilot gets ready to battle Kylo Ren’s First Order stormtroopers.
On screen, the menacing shadow of Starkiller Base engulfs the planet to the sounds of ‘Starry Night’, with some familiar strains of the ‘Imperial March’ thrown in.
A battle is about to commence.
The tension builds with horns, trumpets, and trombones moving into dissonant half-step intervals in ‘Attack on the Village’.
Meanwhile, a drone, BB-8, escapes the battle with a precious cargo, a map revealing Luke Skywalker’s hideout.
Before long, BB-8 runs into scavenger Rey, and ‘Rey’s Theme’, a light, impish flute arrangement, provides the hook for Rey’s entrance and follows her throughout.
This opening sequence, accompanied by Williams’ memorable score, is just the beginning of an action-packed plot where newcomer Rey joins up with Chewie and Han Solo, embarking on a risky mission to return BB-8 to the resistance.
The edge-of-your-seat thrills never let up thanks to Northey and the MSO’s on-point orchestra delivering a highly enjoyable, immersive concert experience filled with strange galactic travellers, evil lords, and old favourites.
mso.com.au
Review by Kathryn Keeble