'Film Symphonic' is a new concept from the Belgian National Orchestra. From this season onwards, two film music concerts will be performed annually, a series curated by none other than conductors Dirk Brossé and Frank Strobel. These two experts in the genre present films that you won't find elsewhere – and certainly not accompanied by a live symphonic orchestra. The first film concert in this series? The Great Escapewith music by Elmer Bernstein! Date: Thursday evening 15 December at 8pm in the Henry Le Boeufzaal at Bozar, where the Belgian National Orchestra under the direction of Dirk Brossé will accompany this film live!
A True Story
The Great Escape is based on a true story. During World War II, no fewer than 76 prisoners managed to escape from Stalag Luft III, a German prisoner of war camp in present-day Poland. For this, the entire camp population worked for months on a tunnel over 100 meters long, mainly supported by bed frames from the prisoners' barracks. Of the 76 people who managed to escape, only three managed to reach the allied territory safely after much wandering.
One of the prisoners of war who had helped dig the tunnel, but who was unable to escape himself, documented his experiences in a book that was published in 1950. That book, The Great Escape, formed the basis for a real blockbuster in 1963. Director John Sturges' film of the same name was nominated for various awards and won an award in the Best Actor category at the international film festival in Moscow.
Film Music by Elmer Bernstein
Partly responsible for the enormous success of The Great Escape was the music by Elmer Bernstein. Each character in the film has its own musical motif linked to the film's overall main theme. Rousing music expresses the courage of the prisoners of war while softer passages give them a deeply human, sympathetic face. The Belgian National Orchestra performs Elmer Bernstein's score under the direction of Dirk Brossé, while the cinema classic is shown on the big screen.
Dirk Brossé as Curator
Versatile composer and internationally respected conductor … Dirk Brossé hardly needs to be introduced in Belgium anymore. Dirk Brossé is also a welcome guest with the Belgian National Orchestra. Recently, as an alternative New Year's concert in times of COVID, he brought a medley with classical music and recently he led recording sessions for Multitude, Stromae's latest album. We sought him out for a conversation about conducting film music concerts.