Anyone growing up in the 80’s and 90’s were absolutely blessed with what we now call classic films. Handsome leading male characters, independent females, futuristic guardians, homesick extra-terrestrials and adventurous kids living their best lives. As a teenager my first heart-throb was Tom Cruise. Fast forward many many years and I still have a soft spot for him. So imagine my excitement whilst I’m scrolling through social media last year to see Tom had made a personal appearance at the Royal Albert Hall for one of his most recent films played with live music. Whhhhhhaaaaaaat! A quick internet search revealed that the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Top Gun Maverick in concert would be performed at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.
About Top Gun Maverick
As an avid Top Gun (1986) film fan, I have to say I was a wee bit sceptical about this remake. I’ve seen this film probably a triple number of times and know it word for word. However, when it hit the big screen in 2022 I was ready to embrace the next generation of US Navy aviators.
I’m assuming I won’t be giving away any spoilers when I say one of the big characters dies in the original… RIP Goose. Top Gun: Maverick introduces us to Rooster, you guessed it, Goose’s son. The cute wee boy that sits atop of the piano whilst his Dad plays “Great Balls of Fire.” Now in his thirties and Top Gun graduate. He along with others are selected for a secret mission to destroy a uranium enrichment facility.
There is obviously some history between Tom Cruise’s character, Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell and Rooster that we quickly catch up on in the storyline. But ultimately Rooster is chosen to be Maverick’s wingman for the mission and after a couple of sketchy run ins with the baddies the pair get back safely to base.
About Royal Scottish National Orchestra
In 2016 the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) celebrated it’s 125th anniversary. Over this time working with Gustav Holst, Luciano Pavarotti and Artur Rubinstein (amongst many others). It was thanks to early Principal Conductors that allowed them to become a full time salaried ensemble and in 1950 changed their name to the Scottish National Orchestra. A new patron in 1977, HM The Queen, meant they could add the Royal part to their name.
The orchestra played at the opening of Scottish Parliament building in Edinburgh in 2004.
Performing across Scotland in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness and close to home for me, Perth. They travel further afield, visiting Europe, USA and China.
Aiming to enrich lives, inspire, educate and entertain the RSNO supports schools, families and young professionals with initiatives that in 2023 reached 68,000 people. Even developing Chorus Academies in Dundee and Glasgow and a lunchtime Workplace Choir. Community choruses are designed with the benefits of group singing for health and wellbeing and are open to all.
The Soundtrack
As well as the classical side of this orchestra they have recorded soundtracks for film, television and video games; Life on Our Planet (Netflix), Star Wars Outlaws (Ubisoft), Avatar Frontiers if Pandora (Meta Quest VR) and the Woman King (Sony Pictures). All recorded in Glasgow for a world wide audience. That’s quite the C.V.
Now the 1986 Top Gun film has a belter of a soundtrack. There’s the obvious choice of Take My Breath Away which won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe, but it’s not my favourite. Danger Zone and Playing with the Boys both by Kenny Loggins and I love them both. So I knew when I watched the 2022 film it had to bring it’s A game. Thankfully, there was some familiar crossovers alongside a film score from Lady Gaga and One Republic. A film score is an original piece of music written specifically to accompany a film. Timed to begin and end at specific points to enhance the dramatic narrative or emotional impact of the scene.
The pinnacle of any good film is it’s theme tune and I think this franchise, nailed it. Harold Faltermeyer with the Top Gun Anthem captures the 1980’s with an instrumental rock composition perfectly. Electric guitar and keyboard, but it’s that tubular bell “dong” at the start of the film that I love.
The Experience
The whole experience of watching Top Gun: Maverick on the big screen alongside the Royal Scottish National Orchestra was something special. A shared experience, like going to the cinema but the lights weren’t totally down and the whole soundtrack was played by talented musicians. Everyone cheered when the conductor Ben Palmer entered the auditorium, then silence.
Just like at the start of the film, that first familiar “dong” filled the air and I instantly had goosebumps (no pun intended) and a lump in my throat. It was only the Paramount and Skydance logos on the screen and I was already a mess!
I managed to get a grip and watch the first half of the film. Periodically losing track of the film as I was mesmerised by watching the magic happen just beneath the big screen. The bows of cello, double bass and violins gliding over strings. One person clicking their fingers during one song and of course the person with the terribly important job of making sure that “dong” was spot on.
During the interval, Jamie and I discussed how we’d both been watching the orchestra and how we both were trying to make sense of the conductors movements and timings. Incredible.
Unlike at the cinema when the credits roll, the auditorium filled will applause. The orchestra played every last note and it was fabulous. An utterly brilliant experience that makes me never want to watch another film without a live orchestra playing.
RSNO if you are looking for other classic film suggestions then may I propose: Lost Boys from 1987. There are some epic songs in this film. Just saying.
Future shows
Sadly, Top Gun: Maverick was only on for two dates. One in Edinburgh and one in Glasgow last weekend. Both were sold out. If you’re a film buff maybe you’ll fancy The Music of John Williams. More classic film tunes from Harry Potter, Jurassic Park and Star Wars to look forward to. Showing in Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Of course there are plenty more classical performances to be found on the RSNO website if you fancy broadening your horizons too.
