LA Philharmonic to play Hollywood themes at free Tynecastle concert
Stadium will echo to the sounds of classic themes from The Pink Panther, Casablanca, Jaws, Harry Potter, Superman and Star Wars at a free curtain-raiser for the Edinburgh International Festival in August.
Organisers have revealed that the full line-up of signature music from Hollywood favourites which will be performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic ahead of the release of tickets today for the 15,000-capacity familyfriendly opener at the home of Heart of Midlothian Football Club.
The orchestra’s musicians, who will be led by superstar conductor Gustavo Dudamel, will be swapping the Hollywood Bowl for Gorgie as part of its own 100th birthday celebrations.
Music from Jurassic Park, Vertigo, The Adventures of Robin Hood and Sunset Boulevard will also be performed in the 90-minute show, the first all-ticket concert to be staged on the pitch at Tynecastle.
The concert, which will celebrate much-loved Hollywood composers like John Williams, Henry Mancini, Bernard Hermann and Frank Waxman, will be the fifth free opening event staged by EIF under the leadership of artistic director Fergus Linehan.
He helped secure the agreement of the club after it emerged that owner Ann Budge had already seen the orchestra in action at the Hollywood Bowl while on holiday in the United States.
Previous EIF curtain-raisers have been staged against the backdrop of the Usher Hall, Edinburgh Castle rock and the 18th century architecture of St Andrew Square.
Dudamel said: “To be at the Edinburgh International Festival is always an honour. For all the orchestras and artists who perform it is such a privilege because it is such a beautiful place.
“It’s an outstanding festival and a perfect setting to continue our centennial celebrations.”
EIF organisers hope to attract families and first-time classic music audiences to the opening event on Friday, 2 August, along with their regular following.