24 Sep 2019

Home Alone with an orchestra!

From Upbeat, 1:00 pm on 24 September 2019

Hollywood film Home Alone is coming to life once more, but this time it’s thanks to the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.

Home Alone will be played by the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra in 2020

Home Alone will be played by the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra in 2020 Photo: Supplied

Home Alone is the quintessential Christmas film for Gen Xers and Gen Ys, bringing a hint of nostalgia. It follows the antics of eight-year-old Kevin McCallister, who has been left behind accidently by his family as they head to Paris.

He defends his family home from burglars with an array of stunts and pranks. It’s the highest grossing live action comedy ever.

Along with the fun is the familiar score that has endured for nearly 30 years. Written by acclaimed Academy Award winning composer John Williams, Home Alone was nominated for two Academy Awards and a Grammy.

Williams also wrote the music for Jurassic Park, the Star Wars series, Jaws, E.T, the Indiana Jones series and the Harry Potter series. Williams is royalty in the world of composing for film.

Home Alone was scored by John Williams

Home Alone was scored by John Williams Photo: Supplied

Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra’s CEO Barbara Glaser hopes Home Alone will start a new tradition.

“It’s our new tradition we hope to start with Christmas movies,” she says. “It’s the ultimate cult Christmas movie with a fantastic score from John Williams.

There’s also something in the score for classical purists. Williams’ score is reminiscent of Tchaikovsky’s ‘Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy’ from the Nutcracker. “It’s a beautiful lush score,” she says, “I think the orchestra will have fun playing it and the audience will have fun watching it.”

Along with Home Alone, the APO has also programmed Blue Planet II, an interactive Wallace and Gromit and an APO for Kids series for younger fans.

The announcement was part of the APO’s wider 2020 season launch which also includes marking 250 years of Beethoven and celebrating their own 40th anniversary.

Wallace and Gromit

Wallace and Gromit Photo: Supplied

The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra will perform Home Alone at the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre on Saturday 19 December 2020.