An intense action packed film with a killer score, performed by a fantastic orchestra in a stunning venue.
The Royal Albert Hall is a mesmerizing venue, with impossibly high ceilings, an excellent view from most seats and a true sense of theatricality and musicianship as the orchestra fills the entire room, so to watch a classic film performed in concert by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is an exceptional evening out.
Beginning with the composer of this score, David Arnold, introducing the performance and giving context to some of the musical decisions made throughout allows the audience to appreciate the long chase sequences and the stamina and technique on display from the orchestra. The opening and closing credits featuring the title song ‘You Know My Name’ and the traditional 007 motif are standout moments of this show, particularly when Arnold plays the Bond theme tune on electric guitar, and the entire ensemble thoroughly deserved the standing ovation they received at the end of their performance. Arnold’s preface to the performance is particularly insightful when discussing the motives behind ‘You Know My Name’ and explaining how the music is used to encourage and compel emotion from the audience. The title song’s brilliance is in the way it introduces Craig’s Bond, as the first movie in his premiership it suggests to the audience that even if they don’t know his name yet, they will. The use of orchestral music to signify Craig’s character development is clear and key moments throughout the film, as Bond falls in love, experiences betrayal, and fights enemies are all spectacularly signposted by Arnold’s compositions and subsequently the orchestras performance.
The Bond films have come a long way since their inception, and as brilliant as this movie is, its commitment to stereotypical ‘Bond’ tropes and plot points; a sexy ‘Bond girl’ riding a horse, a half naked Daniel Craig walking out of the sea in slow motion, the latter seducing the former for information and the objectification and deaths of multiple women throughout the film, are flawed. These are aspects that have evolved over the course of the franchise and it is good to see the writing of these classic action films develop as if it were to remain stagnant the films would fail to thrill a modern audience.
The chase scenes throughout the Bond films remain engaging and suspenseful. Often taking place in a vintage Aston Martin, but more impressively in this film occurring on foot, the orchestra perfectly accompany Daniel Craig’s pursuits with lengthy, rousing sections demonstrating fantastic composition from Arnold and equally brilliant conducting from Anthony Gabrielle, whose energetic and exciting style was engaging throughout.
The Royal Albert Hall and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted beautifully by Gabrielle, create a truly special evening that engages the audience and thrills throughout. From the red carpet, life-size Bond cutouts at the box office and the fantastic front of house staff to the incredible production itself with a fantastically talented orchestra performing a gorgeous rendition of Arnold’s killer score, it is a night to remember and one that ensures you will indeed know his name. In case you missed it, it’s Bond. James Bond.
Performing at the Royal Albert Hall in Concert until the 20th November 2022, celebrating 60 years of 007 and the music that so perfectly encapsulates Bond.