Classical review: BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

Published on Monday 21 December 2009 21:47

CHRISTMAS AT THE MOVIES **** CITY HALLS GLASGOW

WITH Scotland's symphony orchestras in a "variations on a Christmas theme" mood, it was off to the movies with the BBC SSO. Not so much Christmas movie soundtracks, as edited highlights of the old perennial favourites that tend to crowd our Christmas viewing.

Besides the literally seasonal The Holly and the Ivy (Malcolm Arnold in tinselly sentimental mood), and a warm-hearted sing-along White Christmas to finish with, this cinematic celebration ranged from John Williams' Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Harry Potter music to such sumptuous underscores as Henry Mancini's soundtrack for Breakfast at Tiffany's and Stanley Black's hi-octane compilation of James Bond themes. Conductor Stephen Bell made slick work of other compilations from The Sound of Music, Judy Garland hits and snippets from Beauty and the Beast and Pirates of the Caribbean.

No matter the content, these movie-themed concerts are always wonderfully indulgent, both for the listener and the performer.

And this one, linked by Jamie MacDougall's silver-tongued presentation, was no exception, even if Bell did – by virtue of his own animated podium energy – give free rein to the supreme brass, which occasionally overpowered the rest of the orchestra.

That aside, the SSO entered the mood of the moment, supporting its leader (Elizabeth Layton) in the famous violin solo from Schindler's List. Even MacDougall got in on the musical act, forgetting his words in I am reviewing the situation from Oliver, but getting away with it by virtue of his personality.