10/04/2026
HOMEGROWN HEROES: BRITISH SCORES FROM THUNDERBIRDS TO BOND
An evening like this serves as a reminder of just how powerful film music can be when experienced live.
Hearing the work of David Arnold once again, brought to life by some of the finest musicians in the world, was genuinely special. There is a richness, scale and emotional depth to his scores that feels even more pronounced in a setting like this.
It was particularly special to hear “White Knight” from Tomorrow Never Dies performed live. A piece that is rarely heard in this setting, and to experience it with the full force of an orchestra was genuinely goosebump-inducing.
As David himself reflected on the night:
“Over the 30 odd years I’ve been doing this, I’ve been able to put music that I’ve written in front of, I think, the finest musicians in the world. Most of them are here on stage in front of you. I think the level of excellence is unequalled, I think, around the world. It’s always an honour to be able to call on these people, to make this sound as amazing as it does.”
It is hard to argue with that when hearing it first-hand.
Beyond David’s own work, the programme was a wonderful celebration of British film and television music more broadly, with superb pieces from a range of composers that made for a richly varied and thoroughly engaging evening.
David was also a brilliant presence on stage. Warm, self-deprecating and genuinely funny, his stories and anecdotes added an extra layer of charm and insight to the music.
The evening also saw David recognised with the Christopher Gunning Inspiration Award, a fitting tribute to a composer whose work has left a lasting mark on film and television over the past three decades.
Expertly guided by Edith Bowman ( ), who as ever was excellent, and conducted with precision and energy by Ben Foster ( ), this was a celebration of craft at the highest level.
As President of 007GB, it meant a great deal to have so many members there to share in such a special evening.
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