GMF returns to London – two different genres, two distinct styles, one unique event!
This Spring, Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall shall once again reverberate with music from universally acclaimed video games. Firstly, BAFTA-nominated original scores of The Last of Us games will take the stage, inviting the audience to a journey through the soundscapes of post-apocalyptic USA.
After a short rest, the magical harmonies of Faerûn will beckon the listeners to continue the musical adventure. The Philharmonia Orchestra, joined by Hertfordshire Chorus, shall perform the mesmerising music from Baldur’s Gate 3, the most recent entry to the legendary role-playing game franchise.
So, gather your party, as great adventures await… just one click away.
For the first time ever, the BAFTA-nominated soundtracks of The Last of Us Part I & II are to be presented in such unique arrangements! Performed by the amazing Philharmonia Orchestra joined by the Oscar-winning composer Gustavo Santaollala, this performance is set to captivate hearts and minds in a true torrent of emotions.
With dozens of awards, over 17 million copies sold, and TV adaptation being HBO Max’s most-watched project in history, both parts of Naughty Dog’s masterpiece left a strong imprint in hearts of gamers all over the world.
Setting new standards in mature, emotional storytelling, The Last of Us follows a narrative of two characters – Joel and Ellie. Venturing through post-apocalyptic, desolated cities, they need to face not only harsh environments and mutated creatures, but also the sheer realization that sometimes the most dangerous monsters are… other people.
Virtuosic guitar skills of Gustavo Santaollala, paired with his minimalistic approach, deliver a soundtrack that adds depth to each scene, perfectly resonating with the emotional landscape of the game. Brief moments of respite are adorned by austere compositions and ambient melancholic sounds, only to be followed by aggressive drums and industrial tones during many dreadful, deadly encounters.
Music holds great power not only in Dungeons & Dragons, so join us for a night of magic, as Baldur’s Gate 3 score has its fully-fledged live symphonic premiere! Allow yourself to be charmed by this performance by the Philharmonia Orchestra and Hertfordshire Chorus, as they take you on an unforgettable musical journey through the Forgotten Realms.
Beautifully crafted reactive environments, a great cast of characters, engrossing story, and unparalleled freedom of choice, combined with the enthralling score – all this contributed to the staggering success of Larian Studios’ most recent addition to the legendary saga.
The soundtrack, composed by Borislav Slavov, is a multi-faceted melodic prism, encompassing a variety of musical possibilities within itself. Beguiling vocal fragments and ethereal melodies are intertwined with epic battle themes and choral sections, creating a diverse weave of sounds, fit for a world on the brink of change.
Maestro Robert Kurdybacha, a long-time associate of Game Music Festival, will be conducting both concerts. He is no stranger to the music of video games, having written several fan-favourite symphonies for previous editions. With almost 170 artists on stage, this performance will be an experience you absolutely would not want to miss!
4 MAY 2024
Game Music Festival consists of more than concerts featuring the music of video games; it also involves multiple educational and informative events, sessions, and meetings with composers, industry leaders, and experts. During masterclass workshops, participants will be able to ‘see backstage’, discover something about how audio is being created for games, improve their various competencies, and learn many new tips and tricks to better create and analyse game music.
In parallel to the festival’s concerts, meetings and discussions will be held with several game audio professionals, including masterclass workshops conducted by composers.
Those sessions will be a unique opportunity to have closer look into the world of music and sounds of contemporary video games. This will be hugely beneficial for everyone who plans to build a career in composing or designing sound.
Meet the composers, performers, hosts, and other guests who will honour GMF with their presence on-site during the event! This will be a one-of-a-kind opportunity for all game music enthusiasts.
Composer | Guitar Virtuoso
Composer | Audio Director
Conductor | Orchestrator
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Meet the amazing artists who will take the stage during this year’s GMF concerts!
The Orchestra is made up of 80 outstanding musicians of 17 different nationalities, each giving their all to contribute to the renowned Philharmonia sound. The Philharmonia is the go-to orchestra for many film and video game composers in the UK and Hollywood, and its music-making has been experienced by millions of cinema-goers and gamers.
Gustavo Santaolalla is an Argentinian film and game composer for over 23 years. Amongst other awards he received consecutive Oscars in 2006 for “Brokeback Mountain” and in 2007 for “Babel,” making him the third composer in history to achieve this feat. His first game soundtracks, The Last of Us Part I & II, were nominated for BAFTA awards.
Hertfordshire Chorus is known for commissioning new music, high-quality yet passionate singing, tackling difficult, rarely performed music as well as much-loved and well-known pieces and is one of the UK’s finest symphonic choirs. Under the musical direction of David Temple MBE, the members give their all to singing, believing in the sheer joy and power of music to bring people closer together.
ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL
Stunning interior design of the Royal Festival Hall is matched only by its sheer acoustics. The concert space itself is famous worldwide for a crisp and delightful sound.
There are 2700 seats in the concert hall, each providing outstanding capabilities for the audience both in terms of stage visibility and the natural quality of sound.
Southbank Centre is the largest centre for the arts in Europe. It is a spectacular complex of venues which forms the heart of cultural life in London and beyond.
