Who needs popcorn when there is the delicious movie music of John Williams to feast on? In a no-holds-barred programme of the great film composer's award-winning scores, the RSNO's John Williams at the Oscars presents music from no fewer than 11 soundtracks, from the main title of Star Wars to E.T.'s 'Adventures on Earth'. Audiences in Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow are in for a treat, with other perennial favourites including 'Scherzo for Motorcycle and Orchestra' from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and the nail-biting 'Theme from Jaws'.

Celebrating his 88th birthday on 8 February, Williams' composing career is simply extraordinary. His name is synonymous with Star Wars and, although to date his involvement has always been about the music, he now even appears on screen, albeit in a cameo role as a non-speaking bartender in The Rise of Skywalker. At the time of writing, Williams' score for The Rise of Skywalker is one of five nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Original Music. Given a track record of seven wins out of 16 nominations over the years, fingers perhaps don't have to be too firmly crossed for another prize. Over at the Oscars, taking place in Los Angeles just a few days after the BAFTAs, the same score is a prime contender. While it's reputed to be his last Star Wars score, a win would break Williams' own record of five wins out of 52 Oscar nominations.

Proving why his music is so popular, the RSNO's selection will also bring to the fore less well-known pieces such as 'Getting Out the Vote' and 'With Malice Toward None' from Steven Spielberg's 2012 historical drama, Lincoln, starring Daniel Day-Lewis as US President Abraham Lincoln. The first is a cheerful folksy sort of number, the second slow-moving and statesmanlike. Ability to connect with an audience emotionally is, of course, one of the most powerful skills in Williams' writing. It's impossible not to be moved by the haunting main theme from Schindler's List, again a runaway success from the award-winning combination of Spielberg and Williams. More upbeat is the delightful 'Lost Boys Ballet' from Hook and the darkly dramatic 'Escapades', featuring solo alto saxophone, from Catch Me If You Can.

Charged with bringing it all together is conductor Richard Kaufman, who is a specialist in conducting music for film and TV. Well-known in the US for his many CSO at the Movies seasons with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and now in his 28th season as Principal Pops Conductor of Pacific Symphony, he additionally holds the permanent title of Pops Conductor Laureate with the Dallas Symphony. Kaufman also has a special relationship with John Williams, having shared the podium with the great man at the annual Tanglewood Film Night in Massachusetts in 2016.

John Williams at the Oscars, Caird Hall, Dundee, Thu 19 Mar; Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Fri 20 Mar; Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Sat 21 Mar. Sponsored by Capital Document Solutions. Find out more at rsno.org.uk