The Queensland Symphony Orchestra have gifted Queenslanders with an early Christmas present, presenting their live symphonic experience of the next instalment of Episode V Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre following on from their symphonic presentation of Episode IV Star Wars: A New Hope in July. The QSO excel in live symphonic concert experiences, having recently performed the soundtrack for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkhaban, which was sensational.
Despite being first screened 38 years ago, The Empire Strikes Back is still one of the best ever science fiction movies. Despite the later introduction of CGI to film making the basic special effects have not dated with innovative battle scenes using models made from sprayed paint buckets and circuit board oddments. This was the opportunity to see the film in high definition on a 12-metre screen and have the full five star immersive experience with the fabulous Queensland Symphony Orchestra playing the soundtrack live in real time.
Star Wars is synonymous with science fiction movies and the soundtrack by John Williams elevated the Star Wars series from a cheesy low budget movie, to one of the best Sci-Fi movies of the 20th century. Williams was originally asked to compose the soundtrack by George Lucas after being recommended by Steven Spielberg for his famous score for Jaws. He composed a bold and brassy soundtrack with echoes of Holst’s Planets Suite and the use of distinctive leitmotifs, inspired by the film King’s Row (1942) which was scored by Erich Wolfgang Kornhold. Yet, forty years on Darth Vader’s eponymous Imperial March still strikes terror into all who hear it. The Empire Strikes Back is considered to be his best Star Wars score with Williams winning a BAFTA for Best Movie Soundtrack and an Academy Award for Best Sound Mixing. Following on from the massive musical success of Star Wars, which was listed as the number one best film score by the American Film Institute and won an Academy Award® for Best Original Score.
In George Lucas’ second film, the fifth episode of a nine part series, the Empire’s grip on the Galaxy tightens, despite the loss of their super weapon, the Death Star. The Imperial forces are determined to strike back and crush the Rebel Alliance, led by the infamous Darth Vader (James Earl Jones) who is a master of the Dark force. He entices Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) to join the Dark Side to rule and control the galaxy together, as father and son. Fortunately, Jedi Master Yoda (Frank Oz) teaches the young Skywalker how to control the Force for good, rather than evil, whilst on the swampy planet of Dagobah. With the roguish Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) and Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) the rebels supporting him, what could possibly go wrong?
It is a memorable fully immersive Star Wars experience, with a large screen and the Queensland Symphony Orchestra playing the soundtrack live below the screen which eclipses all previous Star Wars experiences! Surpassing the IMAX cinema and far superior than the most expensive home surround sound system. A live full orchestra just cannot be beaten and it is as if it John Williams is there in person conducting the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, although Nicholas Buc was a close second!
I was sitting at the front close to the orchestra and was fascinated watching the screen that the Conductor Nicholas Buc was using to co-ordinate the live QSO performance with the film. Green bars denoted the start of each piece with grey bars scrolling along for each musical bar and a red bar for the end of each piece. The time signature and beat count was also counting up in the right hand corner. It was a lot more complicated than just reading the sheet music and helped the conductor and the orchestra keep precision timing.
The strong brass fanfares combined with cellos, violins and percussion were accompanied by the deep bass drum resonating the music within the core of your body, enabling you to feel the music rather than just hearing it. The devoted Star Wars and QSO fans, both young and old, had photo opportunities in the foyer for photographs with Darth Vader, Storm Troopers, C3PO and even Kylo Renn.
There was much whooping and cheering from the audience throughout the film, encouraged by the conductor and the QSO, resulting in another standing ovation once the end credits had finished. The Queensland Symphony Orchestra is truly strong in the Force, presenting second of four in the ultimate immersive Star Wars experience with Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens to follow in 2019.
If you missed Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, tickets are now available for Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire presented by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra on Saturday 9th February, 2019 with tickets on sale now, but be quick!
Brisbane Convention Centre, Sat 1st Dec 2018, 2pm and 7.30pm
Conductor Nicholas Buc
Music John Williams
Gemma Regan