I’m 10 minutes into this Christmas concert and I’m picturing sand, blue skies and chariots. It’s a musical piece from Ben Hur, and whilst it was epic and fantastic to hear, I was hoping to be feeling snow, night skies and Santa’s sleigh. After all, this was a traditional Christmas concert.

I hadn’t checked the set-list beforehand and so I began to wonder. What if this is an alternative Christmas concert for people who don’t like Christmas music? What if the conductor turns around to reveal himself as the Grinch? What if Santa isn’t real?

However my nerves calm when they play a piece from A Christmas Carol, and I hear one of the most incredible pieces of live music I’ve ever heard.

Next up is the music from Home Alone, and it sounds so much more wholesome on its own without the film in the way. The conductor also reveals himself to be a John Williams fan (though I mean, who wouldn’t be?)

The Polar Express soon followed, it’s a film I couldn’t get through and alas I didn’t recognise the music, but it was definitely more pleasant than watching a CGI’d Tom Hanks.

The Nightmare Before Christmas, like most Tim Burton films I prefer the music over the actual movie. This was jazzy whilst still being festive and was a good contrast to the previous music.

One unwelcome guest was the Harry Potter theme song. Don’t get me wrong, I love Harry Potter, but it’s not really a Christmas film is it?

At the end they played the traditional Christmas carols. Overall, it was great music by wonderfully talented musicians, I just wished for a bit more Christmas.