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Pontus Forslund reviews Gothenburg Wind Orchestra's James Bond concert
By: Pontus Forslund
Published:
2024-11-26
2024-11-26
Conductor Calle Rasmusson joined singer Kristin Amparo and program host Anders Frejdh for a magical evening of music and memories, especially for me, a James Bond fan since childhood. Being able to share this experience with my son Malte (a budding James Bond fan) made it even more special...
With Bond expert Anders Frejdh's deep knowledge and friendly banter, the program got underway with a warm vibe. Anders has met many of the Bond filmmakers and actors and is also George Lazenby's manager, giving him a unique inside view. When he introduced a greeting from George to tonight's audience, he received a huge applause.
I got goose bumps from the concert’s first moment - the well-known “James Bond Theme” that thundered through the brass section and guitarist Viktor Olofsson confidently performed the world's most played riff – originated by Vic Flick, who recently passed away at age 87.
Singer Kristin Amparo looked stunning in a glittering evening gown. She has an outstanding ability to balance soaring notes with intimate sensitivity in every song. She was undeniably the evening's star and was obviously enjoying herself as she entered the stage to the tones of “Moonraker”.
Pity that Dame Shirley Bassey never sings it live (she sticks to her classics of Goldfinger and Diamonds Are Forever).
Front page of the printed program for Goteborg Wind Orchestra's James Bond concert at Haga Concert Hall on November 23, 2024.
Back page of the printed program for Goteborg Wind Orchestra's James Bond concert at Haga Concert Hall on November 23, 2024.
Some other highlights from this very special evening were “All Time High” from Octopussy (1983), which came across as finely tuned and swinging and a theme song you rarely encounter - “Never Say Never Again” which has probably never sounded better even if Herb Alpert and his wife Lani Hall weren’t performing... Saxophonist Sven Fridolfsson takes us on a jazz hike in Marvin Hamlisch's “Nobody Does It Better”. The arrangement is stylish and fun - the same can be said about pianist Stefan Wingefors and Ms. Amparo's rendition of the latest Bond song “No Time to Die”. The band excelled with even more difficult classics like “On Her Majesty's Secret Service” and “Thunderball”, both delivered with style and panache.
The entire orchestra was in a brilliantly playful mood, especially with the Burt Bacharach classic “Casino Royale” - accompanied by host Anders Frejdh’s witty delivery of the story behind the creation of the overproduced 1967 Bond parody, Casino Royale.
Anders Frejdh, Kristin Amparo and Calle Rasmusson thanks the audience for coming.
Still, there was one theme song missing and the orchestra wasn’t going to let the audience go home without hearing it! When the applause has settled, “Goldfinger” becomes the encore. They raced through the song with authority and when the kettle drum knocked out the last iconic tone, the audience practically floated out of the concert hall. What an incredible evening of Bond music!
Malte's Top 3 songs from the evening:
“All Time High”
“Skyfall”
“GoldenEye”
Pontus' Top 3 songs from the evening:
“Moonraker”
“For Your Eyes Only”
“Licence to Kill”
James Bond posters from Anders Frejdh's private collection were displayed in the foyer to Haga Concert Hall.
Other James Bond posters from Anders Frejdh's private collection, which were exhibited in the foyer to Haga Concert Hall.
Original text by Pontus Forslund. Translation by Anders Frejdh. Copyright © 2024 From Sweden with Love. All rights reserved.
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#anders_frejdh
#concerts
#james_bond_event
#pontus_forslund
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