London Soundtrack Festival 2026 – 2ª edición – Programa detallado

PROGRAMA

Thu 9/4 – 13h – Tippett Quartet play Herrmann & Gunning (St Giles’ Cripplegate)

 The Tippett Quartet performs works by Bernard Herrmann and Christopher Gunning composed outside of the confines of the screen.

Clarinettist Robert Plane joins the Tippett Quartet for a performance of Bernard Herrmann’s beautiful Clarinet Quintet, ‘Souvenirs de Voyage’. Composed in 1965, it was dedicated to Norma Shepherd, who went on to become the composer’s third wife.

 

Bernard Herrmann (1911-75) remains one for the most legendary figures in film music, having composed some of the screen’s most thrilling scores (from Citizen Kane to Taxi Driver, via Psycho and Jason and the Argonauts). London was special to the composer, who spent the last years of his life in the capital, and St Giles’ Cripplegate is where he recorded his brilliant (and Oscar-nominated) score for Brian de Palma’s Obsession, which was released after Herrmann’s death.

 

To round off this lunchtime recital, the Tippetts will perform Christopher Gunning’s (1944-2023) rarely heard String Quartet, which was composed in 1997 (revised 2005).

 

Gunning’s music left an indelible mark on the screen thanks to memorable scores for the big and small screen (from Poirot to La Vie En Rose), but he was equally active in the concert hall. His String Quartet is just the tip of the iceberg, with countless concertos and symphonies to be heard.

 

This concert will be approximately 1 hour in duration without an interval

 

Tickets (15 GBP / 17 €): https://londonsoundtrack.com/event/tippettquartet/

 

Thu 9/4 – 15h – Obsession + Intro with Norma Herrmann (Barbican: Cinema 3)

Norma Herrmann shares memories of her late husband, the legendary composer Bernard Herrmann, in a short introductory conversation with London Soundtrack Festival artistic director, Michael Beek, ahead of the film.

Brian de Palma’s 1976 film is a love letter to Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo, featuring a screenplay by Paul Schrader and music by Bernard Herrmann. It was the composer’s second outing with the director, following the 1974 slasher Sisters, and had Herrmann not died in his sleep on 24 December 1975, there’s no doubt he would have worked with De Palma again, on 1976’s Carrie as well.

 

The film, starring Cliff Robertson and Genevieve Bujold, sees a man wracked with guilt after not being able to pay the ransom for his wife’s kidnapping that ultimately led to her horrible death. When he later meets a young woman with a more-than-striking resemblance to her, he develops a deep (and dangerous) infatuation…

 

Herrmann was posthumously nominated for an Academy Award for Obsession, which he recorded near to the Barbican at the church of St Giles’ Cripplegate. A lunchtime concert featuring Herrmann’s Clarinet Quintet takes place before this screening at 1pm, in the very same church.

 

Tickets (14 GBP / 16 €): https://londonsoundtrack.com/event/obsession-intro-with-norma-herrmann/

 

Thu 9/4 – 19h – Homegrown Heroes – From Bond to Thunderbirds (Barbican Hall)

An unmissable night of great British Film & TV music, conducted by Ben Foster and hosted by Edith Bowman…

Join us as we celebrate David Arnold, the Luton-born composer of five cracking James Bond scores (from Tomorrow Never Dies to Quantum of Solace), a clutch of Hollywood blockbusters (including Stargate, Independence Day and Godzilla) and small-screen favourites like Sherlock and Good Omens. David will be presented with our ‘Gunning Inspiration Award’ during the show, in recognition of his contribution to British Film & TV music-making over the last 30+ years.

 

In addition to music by David Arnold, the programme features suites and themes by composers including Isobel Waller-Bridge (The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse), Daniel Pemberton (Enola Holmes), Dario Marianelli (Atonement), Ron Goodwin (633 Squadron), Alexandra Harwood (All Creatures Great and Small), Miguel d’Oliveira (First Dates), Barry Gray (Thunderbirds) and more to be announced.

 

The concert features the London Soundtrack Festival Orchestra, a hand-picked ensemble of some of the city’s very best session players; indeed, its unsung soundtrack heroes.

 

Artists:

• • London Soundtrack Festival Orchestra
  • Ben Foster (conductor)
  • Edith Bowman (host)

 

Programme:

• • Ron Goodwin: 633 Squadron – Theme
  • Christopher Gunning: Poirot – Theme
  • Dario Marianelli: Atonement – Briony
  • Isobel Waller-Bridge: The Boy, The Mole, The Fox & The Horse – Home
  • Ben Foster Screaming from the Back: The Intriguing Story of Brian Epstein
  • Natalie Holt & Jack Halama: Rivals – Suite
  • Miguel d’Oliveira: First Dates – Suite
  • Alexandra Harwood: All Creatures Great and Small – Suite
  • Daniel Pemberton: Enola Holmes – Wild Child Ending
  • Julian Nott: Wallace & Gromit – Theme and Chase
  • Barry Gray (arr. Alfie Pugh): Thunderbirds – March
  • David Arnold: Suites and themes from, Independence Day, Godzilla, Sherlock, The Tiger Who Came to Tea, Good Omens, Stargate, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World is Not Enough, Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace.

 

Tickets (20-55 GBP / 23-63 €): link

 

Fri 10/4 – 11h – Games Music with Richard Jacques & Gareth Coker (StrongRoom Bar)

A Games Music event in Shoreditch!

Join two of the genre’s leading composers, Richard Jacques (Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, James Bond 007: Blood Stone, Headhunter) and Gareth Coker (Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Halo Infinite, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown) for unique insights into their work in this informal masterclass.

 

Richard explores the involvement of a composer in a game, from the first discussions to the final score, while Gareth discusses a holistic philosophy to scoring games with a hands-on approach (in contrast to composers who don’t play the videogames) and creating emotional storytelling through music.

 

Attendees will get the chance to chat with the composers, as well as the opportunity to buy Games soundtrack vinyl.

 

Tickets (10 GBP / 11 €): link

 

Fri 10/4 – 15h – Emma + Intro with Rachel Portman (Barbican: Cinema 3)

Composer Rachel Portman reflects on her Oscar-winning work on Emma in a short introductory conversation with composer Aisling Brouwer, followed by a screening of the film.

 

Emma Woodhouse is forever playing matchmaker but is ultimately clueless when it comes to her own love life… Gwyneth Paltrow, in one of her breakout roles, leads an all-star cast (including Ewan McGregor, Greta Scacchi, Jeremy Northam and Alan Cumming) in the late writer-director Douglas McGrath’s enchanting 1996 adaption of Jane Austen’s perennial classic.

 

Portman made history at the 69th Academy Awards in 1997 when she took home an Oscar for Emma. She was the first woman composer to do so. Her score has gone on to become a fan favourite, receiving regular airplay on Classic FM and often featuring in their annual ‘Hall of Fame’ poll.

 

Music from the score features in the closing concert of the London Soundtrack Festival – ‘Rachel Portman & Friends: Beyond the Screen’, taking place at Cadogan Hall on Sunday 12 April at 6.30pm.

 

Tickets (14 GBP / 16 €): link

 

Fri 10/4 – 19:30h – Soundtracking Live with Edith Bowman (LSO St. Luke’s)

Edith Bowman hosts a special 10th anniversary episode of her brilliant podcast, Soundtracking, in front of a live audience at LSO St Luke’s.

 

Composer Oliver Coates joins Edith for a deep dive into his work, including the soundtracks for Pillion, Aftersun, The Stranger, Occupied City and The History of Sound.

 

From how he works with directors, to what it takes to get the sounds he desires, this is set to be an immersive and insightful conversation – including clips and live performances.

Edith Bowman’s Soundtracking is a weekly podcast featuring directors, actors, writers, producers and composers talking about their relationship with music, both personally and professionally.

 

Tickets (22 GBP / 25 €): link

 

Sat 11/4 – 11:00h – Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit + Intro with Julian Nott (Barbican: Cinema 2)

Wallace & Gromit composer Julian Nott introduces this special Barbican Family Film Club screening of the duo’s first (and Oscar-winning) feature-length film…

 

There’s nothing cheesy about this extra-large slice of Wallace & Gromit, which scooped Aardman a fourth Oscar in 2006. It finds the hapless inventor and his long-suffering pooch amid their latest enterprise: Anti-Pesto. Armed and ready to catch rabbits hellbent on eating their way through the locals’ beloved vegetable patches, Wallace believes he can brainwash the bunnies into hating veg… In the process he unwittingly creates a monstrous, carrot-crunching WERE-RABBIT!

 

The music for Wallace & Gromit is oh-so familiar, its jaunty main theme first appearing in Nick Park’s 1989 Oscar-nominated short animation A Grand Day Out. Composer Julian Nott (Peppa Pig) has been by the duo’s side ever since, and turned in his biggest, most colourful score yet for The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.

 

You can hear some of Julian’s Wallace & Gromit music in the London Soundtrack Festival’s opening night concert: ‘Homegrown Heroes: From Bond to Thunderbirds’, which takes place at Barbican Hall on Thursday 9 April at 7pm.

 

Tickets: link

 

Sat 11/4 – 13:00h – TV Music with Peter Gregson and Tom Kelly (Royal College of Music)

A TV music masterclass…

 

What exactly does it take to create music for television? What difference does it make writing for the small screen compared to the big screen?

 

This session with composer Peter Gregson (Lost Boys & Fairies) and orchestrator Tom Kelly (Lost Boys & Fairies, One Day etc) will offers insights into the craft of composing for TV from scoring to recording.

 

Their session will be preceded by a demonstration of Dorico notation software.

 

Tickets (10 GBP / 11 €): link

 

Sat 11/4 – 16:00h – David Arnold in Conversation (Royal College of Music)

In this intimate conversation, composer David Arnold shares stories from his 30-plus years writing for the screen, how it all began and insights into his craft.

From Bond to Sherlock via Independence Day and The Stepford Wives, David Arnold has been enjoying quite the ride on screen.

 

Starting out in the early ’90s with The Young Americans, the British composer quickly made a name for himself in Hollywood thanks to his breathtaking, action-packed score for Roland Emmerich’s Stargate (1994). That was followed in 1996 by Emmerich’s global phenomenon Independence Day and the director’s 1998 take on Godzilla.

 

It was in 1997 that Arnold set out his stall as one of 007’s most recognisable musical voices. Tomorrow Never Dies was the first of five James Bond films to feature Arnold’s music, and with The World is Not Enough (1999), Die Another Day (2002), Casino Royale (2006) and Quantum of Solace (2008), he proved time and again that he was a natural successor to the great John Barry.

 

Since then, the composer has enjoyed a wide variety of musical adventures, including Amazon’s Good Omens and small-screen delights such as The Tiger Who Came to Tea and Mog’s Christmas.

 

This event is hosted by Sean Wilson (Scoreheads and Frame to Frame podcasts; author The Sound of Cinema) and follows our opening night celebration of David Arnold’s music at the Barbican on Thursday 9 April.

 

Tickets (22 GBP / 25 €): link

 

Sat 11/4 – 19:30h – An Evening at Downton Abbey (Central Hall Westminster)

Spend an evening at Downton Abbey, in the company of John Lunn’s exquisite music for the globally popular TV seres and films…

This special concert features memorable musical moments from across Downton Abbey‘s six series and three films, performed by the Chamber Orchestra of London and Alastair King, the orchestra and conductor featured on all of the original soundtracks.

Joining Alastair and the orchestra, and John Lunn himself on piano, is vocalist Eurielle. She will perform a selection of John Lunn’s original songs based on themes from the show, including ‘I’ll Count the Days’ and ‘Nothing Will Be Easy’.

Hosted by Classic FM’s Zeb Soanes, it’s set to be a magical night. Why not dress up for the occasion?

 

Artists:

• • Chamber Orchestra of London
  • Alastair King (conductor)
  • John Lunn (piano)
  • Eurielle (vocals)
  • Zeb Soanes (host)

 

Tickets (27-75 GBP / 31-109 €): link

 

Sun 12/4 – 11:00h – Film Composers Panel with AWFC (Royal College of Music)

A special event presented in association with the Alliance for Women Film Composers…

 

Join the Alliance for Women Film Composers for an intimate celebration of film scoring. Four acclaimed composers, including Hannah Peel (Midwinter Break, Underland, Scoop), Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch (All of Us Strangers, H is for Hawk), Sofia degli Alessandri (All of You, Red, White & Royal Blue) and Nigji Sanges (La mort viendra), discuss their creative process, career paths and the stories behind their music with Gemma Dempsey. Each conversation is paired with a live string quartet performance by members of Her Ensemble, bringing their scores to life on stage.

 

Tickets (10 GBP / 11 €): link

 

Sun 12/4 – 14:00h – John Williams: A Composer’s Life (Royal College of Music)

John Williams’ biographer Tim Greiving shares fascinating insights into just what it took to convince the legendary composer to agree to an official biography, the first ever published…

 

His music has become the soundtrack of our lives, from Jaws to Jurassic Park via Star Wars and E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial. But while the music of John Williams is oh-so familiar, very few know the man behind the music. Famously private, Williams never wanted a biography written about him, but that all changed when he gave US journalist and author Tim Greiving his blessing.

 

Greiving talks to Tim Burden (The Legacy of John Williams Podcast; Film Score Monthly; BBC Radio) via video link* about writing John Williams: A Composer’s Life, time spent with the composer, and the fruitful years Williams spent working in London.

 

Joining Tim Burden on stage will also be London Symphony Orchestra percussionists David Jackson and Neil Percy, who will share memories of recording with the composer.

 

*Please note: Tim Greiving is no longer able to attend this event in person. He is kindly sending signed bookplates for anyone who would like one. Copies of the book will not be available to purchase at the event.

 

John Williams: A Composer’s Life is published by Oxford University Press

 

Tickets (22 GBP / 25 €): link

 

Sun 12/4 – 18:30h – Rachel Portman & Friends – Beyond the Screen (Cadogan Hall)

Join Oscar-winning composer Rachel Portman for an intimate evening of chat, film clips and glorious arrangements for violin and piano…

She was the first woman to win an Academy Award for Original Score (for 1996’s Emma), and since then Rachel Portman has only continued to create musical magic on screen.

 

In this unmissable evening at Cadogan Hall, Rachel reflects on her career so far with Gill Graham, her long-time friend and publisher.

 

Sharing the stage is pianist Nils Liepe and violinist Niklas Liepe, who will perform specially arranged suites and themes, including music from beloved film scores like Emma, Chocolat, Never Let Me Go and The Cider House Rules.

 

Artists:

• • Rachel Portman (composer)
  • Niklas Liepe (violin)
  • Nils Liepe (piano)
  • Gill Graham (host)

 

Programme: Rachel Portman: Suites and themes from Emma, Chocolat, The Cider House Rules, The Duchess, One Day, Never Let Me Go, Bel Ami and Still Life

 

Tickets (22-45 GBP / 25-51 €): link