An enthralled Pavilion audience was treated to a glittering concert featuring some of the most unforgettable movie scores of all time by German master composer Hans Zimmer which provided the perfect prelude to the 2025 Llangollen International Eisteddfod last night (Tuesday).
A world-class orchestra under the baton of internationally acclaimed conductor Anthony Gabriele presented “Beyond Time: The Music of Hans Zimmer in Concert” on the first night of the festival which runs from July 8-13.
The audience delighted to a programme of music made famous by a man with over 150 movie scores to his credit, including the powerful and moving backdrops to a host of the biggest blockbusters which have brought Zimmer two Academy Awards, two BAFTAs and five Grammy Awards plus a coveted star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The evening’s conductor, Anthony Gabriele, who has led orchestras all over the world, wielded the baton over the 70-piece Cinematic Orchestra which stormed ahead with some powerful scores such as the Theme from Backdraft, Suite from The Dark Knight, Tennessee from Pearl Harbour, the Suite from The Last Samurai, the End Titles from Driving Miss Daisy and the Suite from Man of Steel, each one reaching new heights of emotional stimulation.
After the break the audience returned to more exhilarating musical masterpieces including Discombobulate from Sherlock Holmes, Chavaliers De Sangreal from The Da Vinci Code, the Suite from Wonder Woman, Hero from Kung Fu Panda and rounding off with the blood-stirring Suite from Gladiator.
The audience were on their feet as the concert finished with a rousing rendition of the theme from Pirates of the Caribbean.
Weaving the programme seamlessly together as he delivered the narration for the evening was acclaimed Rhosllanerchrugog-born film and TV actor Mark Lewis Jones.
Dave Danford, Artistic Director of the Llangollen International Eisteddfod said, “Tonight was a fantastic opening to our 2025 Eisteddfod, celebrating one of the world’s greatest film composers of all time. I was delighted that Mark Lewis Jones agreed to come and present it for us, and I’m very grateful to Anthony Gabriele for bringing his enthusiasm and first-class musicianship to the stage.
“This is just the first concert in a very exciting week, and we continue tomorrow evening with a truly international celebration of the United Nations, featuring Sir Karl Jenkins, which will follow our first day of competitions in the pavilion.”
