London orchestra concert a multimedia spectacle
By ALAN BOSTICK - Staff Writer

It was less a symphonic concert than a multimedia spectacle, and that appeared to be just fine with the majority of those gathered at Gaylord Entertainment Center last night for the first-ever Nashville appearance by the London Symphony Orchestra.

The generous program of familiar film music, quite rightly titled ''The Music of Hollywood,'' developed, in more or less equal parts, as an amplified pops concert, walk-in movie and laser light show — all offered to a highly appreciative crowd that appeared to fall only somewhat short of the 10,000-person capacity.

Vigorously led by the Nashville Symphony's Kenneth Schermerhorn, a late substitute for the ailing Jerry Goldsmith, this large, internationally regarded orchestra delivered about 20 separate movie extracts from classic films, Hollywood blockbusters, recent releases and a couple of largely forgotten attempts such as Witches of Eastwick and Rudy.

Beneath a massive screen flashing film footage and live orchestra shots — absolutely required viewing that was largely out of view for perhaps 10%-15% of the crowd — Schermerhorn guided us through music from Rocky (complete with indoor fireworks); North by Northwest; Star Trek: The Motion Picture (complete with flickering green lasers that actually kept time); E.T.; Titanic; Out of Africa; Where Eagles Dare; and Indiana Jones.