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The inaugural London Soundtrack Festival celebrates the music of film, television and videogames during a brand new, week-long series of events festival taking place at venues across the capital in March.<\/p>
Music written for the screen (TV, Film or Game) represents some of the most listened to in the world right now, and it\u2019s popularity is only increasing as time goes on.<\/p>
Whether it\u2019s a blockbuster film score by the likes of Hans Zimmer<\/a>, the music for the latest \u2018must-watch\u2019 streaming series or a soundworld created for a million-selling videogame, fans are spoilt for choice when it comes to the soundtracks that are available on streaming services, CD and vinyl, or even in the concert hall.<\/p> Festivals celebrating soundtracks aren\u2019t anything new, indeed there are long-running and brilliantly curated examples happening each year in cities like Krakow and Ghent, but London hasn\u2019t been able to get one off of the ground. Until now.<\/p> The inaugural London Soundtrack Festival has just been announced and it will take place in venues across the capital from 19-26 March 2025.<\/p> The week-long celebration will feature concerts, masterclasses and screenings, with guests representing some of the very best and brightest working in the industry today.<\/p> Venues hosting events include the Roundhouse, BFI Imax, Alexandra Palace and the Royal Festival Hall.<\/p> Leading the festival\u2019s glittering line-up is Academy Award-winning composer Howard Shore (Lord of the Rings; The Hobbit; Silence of the Lambs; Mrs Doubtfire<\/em>), who will be in conversation with legendary film director David Cronenberg.\u00a0<\/p> The pair have enjoyed a 45-year collaboration (The Fly<\/em>,\u00a0Videodrome; Scanners<\/em>\u00a0etc), so it should be a fascinating discussion.<\/p> Shore will also be the recipient of the very first \u2018Gunning Inspiration Award\u2019, which will be awarded at the festival\u2019s centrepiece gala concert with the London Philharmonic Orchestra (conducted by Ben Palmer) at the Royal Festival Hall.<\/p> The award is being presented in memory of the late film and television composer Christopher Gunning, who made a huge impact with his scores for the likes of\u00a0Poirot<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0La Vie En Rose<\/em>.<\/p> His widow, Sveta Gunning, has been a guiding force behind the entire festival. She suggested the event be devised as a means of matching her late husband\u2019s \u2018extraordinary talent, skill and infectious, enthusiastic spirit.\u2019\u00a0<\/p> Other concerts will include music by Oscar-winning composers Anne Dudley<\/a> (with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra at the Roundhouse) and Hildur Gu\u00f0nad\u00f3ttir<\/a> (with Robert Ames and the London Contemporary Orchestra at Queen Elizabeth Hall), plus a concert of videogames music at the Roundhouse and a lunchtime concert featuring cellist Richard Harwood.<\/p> BBC Radio 3\u2019s\u00a0Friday Night is Music Night<\/em>\u00a0will form part of the festival line-up with a special concert of hits from film and television, live from Alexandra Palace.<\/p> Charlie Chaplin<\/a>\u2019s\u00a0Modern Times\u00a0<\/em>will be screened at Cadogan Hall with a live score performed by Covent Garden Sinfonia, conducted by Ben Palmer. While composer Anna Meredith will introduce a performance of her score for Bo Burnham\u2019s 2018 film\u00a0Eighth Grade<\/em>\u00a0at BFI Imax.<\/p> Masterclasses planned so far include sessions with Hollywood film composers Harry Gregson-Williams <\/a>(The Chronicles of Narnia; Chicken Run\u00a0<\/em>etc) and Natalie Holt (Obi-Wan Kenobi<\/em>;\u00a0Loki<\/em>), award-winning videogames composer Stephen Barton (Star Wars: Jedi Survivor<\/em>) and TV theme maestro Paul Farrer (The Chase; The Wheel\u00a0<\/em>etc).<\/p> So the eyes, and ears, of soundtrack fans will be on London in March next year, and with more events yet to be announced it\u2019s looking to be a great week.<\/p> Concert: Richard Harwood & Friends<\/em><\/strong> Cellist Richard Harwood<\/a> is joined by star chamber musicians for a lunchtime recital of music by Film composers written for the concert hall – including a new commission by LSF Featured Artist Hildur Gu\u00f0nad\u00f3ttir.<\/p> Film in Concert: Chaplin\u2019s Modern Times<\/em><\/strong> Chaplin\u2019s masterpiece screened with the original score played live. Introduced by Chaplin\u2019s grandson, Spencer Chaplin.<\/p> Film in Concert: EIGHTH GRADE with live score<\/em><\/strong> Anna Meredith introduces a live performance of her score played in synch with the 2018 film directed by Bo Burnham.<\/p> Concert: Friday Night is Music Night<\/em><\/strong> A live broadcast of the long-running popular strand, now on BBC Radio 3. Featuring popular hits from film and television.<\/p> Masterclass: Harry Gregson-Williams<\/em><\/strong> One of Hollywood\u2019s most sought-after and prolific composers, Harry Gregson-Williams has scored numerous hit movies, TV series and video games. In this masterclass, Harry reveals his composing and technical process in a fascinating session demonstrating how he creates film cues.<\/p> Demonstration: Dorico in Action<\/em><\/strong> The music software producers demonstrate the latest tricks and developments for media music creators.<\/p> Q&A: Howard Shore and David Cronenberg in Conversation<\/em><\/strong> In this very special event, Director David Cronenberg and composer Howard Shore, in conversation with Jon Burlingame, discuss their extraordinary 45-year collaboration, featuring\u00a0Videodrome, The Fly, Dead Ringers, Crash, M Butterfly, Eastern Promises, A History of Violence, Naked Lunch<\/em>\u00a0and their 17th and most recent film together,\u00a0The Shrouds<\/em>.<\/p> Concert: London Soundtrack Festival Gala Concert<\/em><\/strong> The Festival celebrates its inaugural year with a gala concert featuring music by all featured artists and a special focus on the recipient of the LSF Inspiration Award, Howard Shore.<\/p> Games Music – State of the Art<\/em><\/strong> An unmissable celebration of Video Games Music with masterclasses (by Grammy and Ivor-Award winning composers\u00a0Stephen Barton<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Gordy Haab<\/strong>\u00a0on their score for\u00a0Star Wars: Jedi Survivor<\/em>), demos, autograph opportunities and a Panel Session with a stellar line-up of Games Music composers, including\u00a0Borislav Slavov<\/strong>,\u00a0Ludvig Forssell<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Harry Gregson-Williams<\/strong>.<\/p> Masterclass: Stephen Barton<\/em><\/strong> The Grammy Award-winning composer gives an exclusive masterclass on writing music for Games.<\/p> Concert: Games Music: State of the Art<\/em><\/strong> The Games Music: State of the Art day concludes in spectacular style with a concert by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra playing music from some of the most iconic and popular Games available, including\u00a0Assassin\u2019s Creed, Baldur\u2019s Gate 3, Star Wars Jedi Survivor, Indiana Jones, Metal Gear Solid<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Battlefield 2042<\/em>, introduced by the composers themselves.<\/p> Talk: Music in Prime Time – A History of TV Themes and Scoring<\/em><\/strong> LSF host Jon Burlingame, one of the most respected writers on film and TV music in the world, discusses his book \u2018Music for Prime Time\u2019 with LSF Artistic Director, Tommy Pearson.<\/p> Masterclass: Paul Farrer<\/em><\/strong> Paul Farrer, who has written some of the most recognisable themes on TV, including\u00a0The Chase, Weakest Link, The Wheel<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Michael McIntyre\u2019s Big Show<\/em>, reveals his composing and production process.<\/p> Masterclass: Natalie Holt<\/em><\/strong> Multi-award-winning composer Natalie Holt reveals her process behind creating scores for TV hits\u00a0Loki\u00a0<\/em>and\u00a0Obi-Wan Kenobi<\/em>.<\/p> Concert: Anne Dudley and the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra<\/em><\/strong> Oscar-winning composer Anne Dudley presents an exclusive night of great movie songs and music, backed by an orchestra and featuring very special guest vocalists<\/p> Pre-concert talk: Hildur Gu\u00f0nad\u00f3ttir In Conversation<\/em><\/strong> The Oscar-winning composer talks to Jon Burlingame about her career, influences, inspirations and the concert she has curated especially for LSF.<\/p> Concert: Hildur Gu\u00f0nad\u00f3ttir In Concert<\/em><\/strong> Oscar-winning composer Hildur Gu\u00f0nad\u00f3ttir (Joker<\/em>) presents a concert of her film and TV music alongside her influences and inspirations.<\/p> For the latest information visit\u00a0londonsoundtrackfestival.com<\/a><\/p>Oscar-winning headliner<\/h2>
Film scores in concert<\/h2>
Words of wisdom from those in the know<\/h2>
A list of the festival events in detail, with more to be announced\u2026.<\/h2>
Wednesday 19 March 2025<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>
Thursday 20 March 2025<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>
Friday 21 March 2025<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>
Saturday 22 March 2025<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>
Sunday 23 March 2025<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>
Monday 24 March 2025<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>
Tuesday 25 March 2025<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>
Wednesday 26 March<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>