London Star Wars Concert

Funny AND true!

Just to clarify - I don't prefer the CGI Yoda over the puppet from the old movies. BUT I just can't stand the ugly puppet they used in TPM, and I want him gone! And here I think the CGI Yoda (from Ep. 1 & 2) is a good choice, because all the other characters in the new trilogy are done with CGI, so a puppet would look out of place... IMO. But the puppet Yoda is perfect in the old trilogy.

BTW, today is/would have been Alec Guinness' birthday!

I just saw it in Birmingham, and I was not impressed. Sure, the performances were all very fine, and had it just been that alone I would have loved it... but it was very gimmicky. Anthony Daniels was clearly trying for an Oscar with his hammy narrating, which had me cringing from start to finish; the dialogue over the orchestra was retarded; the flashy lights and large screen were distracting; there were annoying kids everywhere with stupid toy lightsabers (and boy do I hate kids); and worse of all, the orchestra was being pumped through speakers, which means all the warmth and acoustic feel of seeing a live orchestra was lost. It all felt very glossy, very impersonal and all too commercial. Add to that the fact the venue was more suited for rock concerts with seating facing into the middle of the arena rather than the stage.

Waste of money. I hate George Lucas even more.

I love big screens, I love light shows, I even love rock concerts. But I didn't love this.

I'm searching for a good concert in London right now to make up for tonight. One that isn't Morricone's... because that's friggin expensive.

I'm so glad I saw a toned down version of this back in 2005 when Erich Kunzel and the Toronto Symphony and Mississauga Choral Society premiere the Star Wars Symphony. Anthony Daniels was there delivering narration and there was a laser sound effect or two but there were no high def screens, no kids waving lightsabres, nothing pumped through speakers, no intruding dialogue... just music in a proper concert hall! It was wonderful and I wish that was the program that went on the road.

-Erik-

Oh boy... I got jealous after the first reports and thought I should've come anyway... but, DIALOGUE over the orchestra?! And sound fx? Oh man, that would've annoyed me. I would've gone strictly for the music, but it almost seems there was more focus on the films itself.

I raised the exact same complaint when I saw it at the O2 last year.

Oh but how I wish John Williams would again come to town and make the LSO sing once more.

It was. I could see the orchestra playing (when I wasn't distracted by the lights and the screen nd the dialogue), but I couldn't really feel it. Every previous orchestral concert I've ever been to I've 'felt' the music.

This certainly doesn't top The Lord of the Rings Symphony.... now there was a proper show!

Really?
I was so disappointed at that one. Poor preparation, poor execution. Very meagre indeed.
I'll take a more slick show any ol'time.

Martijn is not nearly likely to be wrong as much as you think he is likely to be far from right.

Shame you didn't enjoy the show Steven, I had a fantastic time. The musical performance never sounded better, but then I haven't been to many Star Wars concerts in my life. Only one in fact...

I really don't like the idea of a live orchestra pumped through speakers, I can imagine it destroys the ambience.

I second Steven's opinion here. Where I was seated, merely cheaper tickets, it was really only the amplified music I heard. Loud, and when the dialogues was put over it, it was almost impossible to enjoy. Luckily dialogues were not that common, but still...

The performance was top notch! Long live brass!

I'm always available!! You will never look at the park the same way again I hope the force was with Joery when he had to go to school in morning

On the concert:
I thought it was great!
- The dialog-thing wasn't necessary and it would have been better that not every piece would have been accompanied by dialog. It made me enjoy the encore piece even more, because the the camera's where fully focused on the orchestra.
- I think the Sportpaleis or maybe concert events in general have come an long way since LOTR in Concert. I was not bothered by the sound coming through speakers. It's an giant hall... what did you expect?
- The screen was big, I thought it would be bigger... my mistake. Never saw such a great resolution and small time delay.
- I was glad to sit on the side, close to the stage because you could see the orchestra actually playing. See some faces. When your in front of the orchestra you watch the screen all the time...
- loved the characters in the audience. When I go to game-concerts they are also always present. The same with LOTR. I'm still a fan of the little Youngling with his father. He was adorable!
www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3995785&id=566498245
- No problems with Anthony Daniels. Didn't like his C3PO impression. He should read a book about the character.

All in all: certainly money not waisted.

Regards and look for my post somewhere next year

SWEET !