MICHAEL GIACCHINO
Music composed by Michael Giacchino
Conducted by Robert Kružík
Performed by Filmová filharmonie and the Kühn Mixed Choir of Prague
Choirmaster: Zuzana Kadlčíková
June 20, 2026
Rudolfinum
Prague, Czech Republic
PART 1: A REVELATION
I generally do not go to film music concerts that aren’t conducted or featuring performances by their original composer. There’s just something missing when the composer isn’t there performing or conducting their own work, and in many cases, the set lists for such concerts are pretty much your standard fare consisting of well-known themes from hit films. But when I saw the program for the Michael Giacchino concert put on by the Filmová filharmonie in June this year, I promptly changed my mind:
And now, having attended this superlative concert the other night, all I can say is how glad I am to have attended because hearing the Filmová filharmonie and the Kühn Mixed Choir of Prague perform the music of Michael Giacchino was an absolute revelation – I mean, how could I have not heard about this magnificent orchestra and film music series until now?!
PART 2: FROM FILM TO FILHARMONIE
As per their website, the Filmová filharmonie was established in 2014 as “a symphony orchestra dedicated to delivering spectacular film music concerts. Monumental film scores demand exceptional skill and passion, which is why their performances—featuring up to 90 talented musicians—offer an unforgettable musical experience.” Based on the concert I just attended, I would go even further and say that these exceptional skills include their tremendous range from the traditional orchestral sound to swinging jazz and improv.
Another striking thing I noticed at the Giacchino concert was the pure joy the orchestra and choir had for the music and each other – they could be seen swaying enthusiastically to the music during rests, and when the concert came to an end, they were warmly embracing each other on stage. It just made the whole experience feel like a warm and welcoming event – with fantastic music to match!
PART 3: THE SET LIST
The concert was split into two parts: the first part focused on Giacchino’s Disney/Pixar scores as well as a suite from SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME, while the second part showcased his work for huge franchise films in addition to a rip-roaring suite of music from the popular video game, MEDAL OF HONOR.
– The First Half –
- 01. SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME: Suite
- 02. THE INCREDIBLES: Concert Suite
- 03. RATATOUILLE: Concert Suite
- 04. ZOOTOPIA 2: Concert Suite
- 05. UP: “Married Life”
- 06. COCO: Suite
– The Second Half –
- 07. MEDAL OF HONOR: “Main Title”
- 08. LOST: Themes from Moving On (“LAX” / “Life and Death”)
- 09. THE BATMAN: “The Batman”
- 10. JURASSIC WORLD: Concert Suite
- 11. ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY: “Guardian of the Whills” & “Jyn Erso and Hope Suite”
- 12. STAR TREK: INTO DARKNESS: Concert Suite
– The Encores –
- 13. ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY: “The Imperial Suite”
- 14. SPEED RACER: “Reboot”
- 15. TOMORROWLAND: Theme
The concert ended with three crowd-pleasing encores, but a big part of me wishes they had performed music from THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS or even SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY. Maybe next time 🙂
PART 4: THE FIRST HALF
SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME
Suite
The concert got off to a bang with a wildly satisfying suite from SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME. The suite mirrors the one on the original soundtrack album and included the main Spidey theme, the flute-led Peter and MJ love theme, and that quasi-heroic theme for Mysterio that later morphs into something much more menacing.
I was wondering how they would handle the synths in the Mysterio theme like in the original recording, but I was pleasantly surprised to hear some cool “cosmic synths” from the keyboardist. The suite ended with a propulsive take on the Spidey theme with the drum kit driving the piece forward with the might of a steam train.
THE INCREDIBLES
Concert Suite
– Included parts from “The Incredits,” “Life’s Incredible Again” and more
Included parts from “The Incredits,” “Life’s Incredible Again” and more
This was the first piece I put on when I got back to my hotel after the concert – I just had to relive hearing this piece live!
It opened with the first part of “The Incredits” followed by my favourite big band swing piece by Giacchino, “Life’s Incredible Again.” The rest of the suite was full of swagger and John Barry spy vibes. And the sax improv was absolutely killer – different from the original, but just dripping with attitude and class.
RATATOUILLE
Concert Suite
– Included parts from “Main Theme,” “End Creditouilles,” “Souped Up” and more
I had forgotten how great this score truly is! Anchored by that gorgeous theme in “Le Festin,” this suite was another winner that included live accordion and some of the best parts from the score. The flute parts in “Souped Up” were particularly great to hear live too. It would have been perfect if they had also performed a vocal version of “Le Festin”!
ZOOTOPIA 2
Concert Suite
I actually saw this film for the very first time while on the plane to Prague for this concert.
The concert suite, which was receiving its world premiere performance, is essentially the same as “Zootopia 2 Suite” on the original soundtrack album with its touching theme for the film’s protagonists, an epic adventure theme, and a mysterious woodwind melody for Gary De’Snake. It’s unfortunate the suite did not include the exciting action/chase sequences in the film – they’re top drawer Giacchino and deserve to be heard live.
UP
“Married Life”
I’m pretty sure most in the audience were waiting to hear this, and who could blame them – “Married Life” is Giacchino’s magnum opus and one that is universally known and loved even by even casual film music fans.
I’ve heard this piece live a number of times but it never loses its power or ability to break your heart… just thinking about that solo piano that ends the piece kills me every time. Damn you Giacchino, damn you.
COCO
Suite
Despite being overshadowed by the Academy Award-winning song “Remember Me,” Giacchino’s score for COCO is certainly no slouch – it’s touching and full of rhythm and life. The orchestra’s performance featured some deliriously fun improv on trumpet and trombone, and at times I could see the conductor passionately sway and lunge to the beat. And that epic climax to end the piece – pure magic!
PART 5: THE SECOND HALF
MEDAL OF HONOR
“Main Title”
– Included parts from “The Radar Train” and more
MEDAL OF HONOR is the very first score I heard from Giacchino many years ago, and I distinctly remember being blown away by its “Main Title” and faux period piece, “The Road to Berlin.” I just couldn’t believe something of this quality could be coming from a relative newcomer, let alone having composed it for a mere video game.
Despite the program listing it as “Main Title,” it actually included the pulse-pounding “The Radar Train” (complete with tubular bells!) and much more.
But the main star of this piece was the main theme, which was performed with the perfect amount of nobility and pride by the orchestra’s trumpet soloist. And when that percussion came in to drive things forward with military might, I was in music heaven! But it didn’t end there – the choir then made its appearance and brought nothing but spine-tingling and patriotic delight.
LOST
Themes from Moving On (“LAX” / “Life and Death”)
Next came my favourite piece of the evening, and my favourite score by Giacchino ever: his music for the acclaimed TV series, LOST.
I’d seen Giacchino conduct his music for LOST in Hawaii a few years ago – I cried like a baby then, and I cried like a baby again when the Filmová filharmonie performed this stunning orchestra and choir arrangement of “LAX” / “Life and Death.” With cello and piano playing in counterpoint, and the choir softly cooing in the background, I just could not hold back those tears… this was music of the very highest order, and the orchestra and choir delivered it like a gift from God. I get the chills just thinking about it…
THE BATMAN
“The Batman”
THE BATMAN was another film I watched on my flight to Prague.
After opening with tubular bells then segueing into that solemn string-led theme in “All’s Well That Ends Farewell,” the iconic low notes and drum kit figure of Giacchino’s BATMAN theme then crept into the auditorium. Dark, gritty and full of obsessed determination – I can’t think of a better way to musically characterize Matt Reeves’s take on Batman.
JURASSIC WORLD
Concert Suite
JURASSIC WORLD received a lengthy performance expertly evoking the adventure, mystery and danger in the film. While not my favourite Giacchino score, it did a great job emulating the palate of John Williams’s iconic score.
ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY
“Guardian of the Whills”
“Jyn Erso and Hope Suite”
The solemn “Guardian of the Whills” opened the ROGUE ONE suite with choir joining to give the piece added power and reverence. The latter half of the piece shifted, foreshadowing the tragic end to the film.
My favourite piece from the score came next with a fine performance of the “Jyn Erso & Hope Suite” featuring solo violin and soothing choir to gently end the piece. The only nitpick I have about this performance was the pacing – it was a bit on the slow side, so I felt it was missing that sense of urgency and tragedy you hear in the original recording.
STAR TREK: INTO DARKNESS
Concert Suite
Oh how I love Giacchino’s music for STAR TREK!
The suite performed was largely the same as the “End Credits” on the Deluxe Edition of the score released by Varese Sarabande, which opens with Alexander Courage’s classic theme from the original TV series performed by orchestra and choir.
Next came a dazzling performance of the menacing Harrison/Khan theme followed by a truly crowd-pleasing rendition of Giacchino’s iconic STAR TREK theme. I absolutely adore this theme, the timeless heroism it evokes, and how the orchestra nailed the sound of the original recording – bravo!
PART 6: THE ENCORES
To cap off the evening came three encores.
ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY
“The Imperial Suite”
Full of power and an unstoppable evil, the sounds of Giacchino’s own “Imperial March” echoed across the auditorium. A killer performance to be sure!
SPEED RACER
“Reboot”
As I hadn’t listened to this score in a long time, I am embarrassed to admit that I wasn’t sure what this was when I first heard it. I would later find out that it was “Reboot” from SPEED RACER, a frenetic action piece supplemented with choir.
(To be honest, I would have preferred “Let Us Drink Milk” from SPEED RACER, a show stopping finale featuring choir and one of Giacchino’s greatest ever climaxes)
TOMORROWLAND
Included the opening of “End Credits”
What a way to end the concert with one of Giacchino’s most exciting themes!
I love the movie and a big part of that is because of Giacchino’s classic theme and its different arrangements throughout the film.
Hats off to conductor Robert Kružík and orchestra for shining a light on this underrated gem.
And that ended a tremendous evening in Prague with the music of Michael Giacchino!
If the night’s performance is indicative of the quality, passion and care put into this film music concert series, then you can be sure I’ll be back again someday. I for one cannot wait!
PART 7: CONCERT SWAG & MORE
Free programs (with QR code to an English version of the notes) were distributed to all attendees.
Badges, stickers and postcards were also available during the intermission to those that wanted them.
A photo area was also set up for those coming in cosplay or wanting to take a photo as a memento of the occasion.
All pretty neat if you ask me 🙂
PART 8: COMING SOON!
In addition to some theme-based film music concerts, programs devoted to the music of James Horner and Hans Zimmer are planned for early next year.
For more info, check out the Filmová filharmonie website here.
PART 9: OVER TO YOU
Did you go to this concert too? How did you like it?
And what did you think of my report? Feel free to comment below or reach out to me directly in the “Contact Me” section.