Harry Potter season is nearly here (only a couple of days until Kings Cross gets over-run with people trying to run into a wall between platforms…) and what better way to start it off by revisiting the incredible music from the films, composed by virtuoso John Williams?
The night’s entertainment took us to the beautiful, high-ceilinged Main Hall of Oxford Town Hall, an excellent venue for such a show with its fantastic architecture and acoustics.
Mystery Ensemble is described (on the Red Events website) as “a group of professional musicians performing unique programs on non-standard venues around the UK”. Tonight’s show had six of those young performers quietly taking to the stage and treating the audience to an evocative and - dare I say it - magical evening of wonderful music.
It was clear from the start that the musicians (three violinists, a cellist, double-bassist and pianist) love what they do, and who wouldn’t when they are working with such a fabulous score? But it was not just the music they were working with that made the evening so special – there is an obvious bond and camaraderie between the performers which only enhanced their talent at their respective instruments.
Watching orchestral music is an unusual activity for this review writer – it is not something I was brought up doing, or something I have much opportunity to do as an adult, so I can’t claim to be an expert on certain musical arrangements or the difference between this particular performance and any other performance showcasing the music of Harry Potter. However, I am certainly well-versed in what I find enjoyable, and how such a show makes me feel. Of course, in this case it helps to have witnessed the incredible music by watching the much-loved movies, but tonight’s performance both enthralled and delighted, with uplifting swells following haunting moments veering between joy, threat and sadness. The talented musicians evoked not only images and key scenes from the films, but genuine emotional reactions, and each piece was met with ripples of applause and murmurs of appreciation.
The talent on stage was palpable and as well as gifting Oxford with 60 minutes of magical music, they also created their own unique brand of musical magic.
In the words of Dumbledore himself: “Ah, music," … A magic beyond all we do here!”(Editors' note: this review celebrates John Williams' creative work on the Harry Potter film series and Mystery Ensemble's performance; Daily Info does not condone or endorse the views and actions of Harry Potter author J.K Rowling).