It’s hard to believe it’s been almost 21 years since the first Harry Potter film hit the big screen. Indeed, the fandom is still as rabid and vibrant as ever, as witnessed in the continuing Harry Potter Concert series here in Toronto. This evening, it was Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, with the music performed live by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and conducted beautifully by Evan Mitchell.
If you haven’t had a chance to enjoy one of these concerts, where live orchestra meets film, I highly recommend experiencing it. There are films/concert series spanning different genres that go on all year long across North America. It’s a wonderful combination of something that is truly a remarkable and enjoyable experience. When you have the ever-enduring Harry Potter franchise and its fandom to the mix, you really get to experience something special.
Some still feel the live orchestra concert setting is a tad snobbish, with a hint of elitism. This concert series proves that this is anything but true. Indeed, the atmosphere was electric, with a very eclectic mix of people in the audience, in terms of attire. Suits, dresses, skirts, jeans, casual wear and, of course, people dressed as their favorite characters from the films. Conductor Evan Mitchell made it clear this was anything but a somber event by letting the audience know before the show started that, yes, he encouraged them to cheer, boo, and just be vocal and enjoy the experience.
This film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, is a darker and more serious entry in the series. The whole mood is one of death, dread, pain, and loss. There are moments of levity and heroic gestures, but the film is all about the character’s struggles and how the fight to defeat evil is taking its toll. This is very fertile soil, if you will, for an orchestra to work with, and the Toronto Symphony was definitely up to the task.
Powerful ebbs and flows in the soundtrack, with great moments of brilliance, pushed the music to many highs during the evening. It’s a credit to the musicians that, even after a brief intermission, they were able to pick up right where they left off and help transport the audience right back into the world of Harry Potter.
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To end off the evening, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra took the opportunity to show off its prowess by giving a powerful final two minutes during the film’s end credits, a remarkable display of talent that was a beautiful way to end the evening. Numerous standing ovations for the talent onstage were a love letter from the audience to the musicians for a fantastic performance.
The magic of the Harry Potter fandom/film franchise combined with the extraordinary talents of these musicians was something truly magical.
