The musicians of the world-beating Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra are nothing if not versatile.

From the smallest community hall in a far flung corner of a 10,000 square mile geographical area, to home at Poole Lighthouse or the Royal Festival Hall, they always delivers a real show.

But unquestionably the annual Proms weekend in Bournemouth’s own Meyrick Park is the greatest ‘event’ of them of all, an extravaganza in every sense of the word.

And so it proved on Friday where a magnificent programme came to an an explosive end with fire and fireworks accompanying brilliant performances of Wagner’s rousing Ride of the Valkyries and the equally stirring and heart pumping Black Pearl from Pirates of the Caribbean.

Classical Extravaganza is potent mix of some of the best loved and most familiar traditional classical pieces and incredible film scores from the modern day geniuses Williams and Zimmer.

So the evening began with what conductor Pete Harrison (always delightful as host and maestro) described as the greatest piece of film music of all time, the masterful, unforgettable Stars Wars theme.

There followed a whole of host of wonderful pieces, excerpts from Grieg’s Peer Gynt and Bizet’s Carmen, a deeply dramatic orchestral arrangement of Toccata and Fugue from JS Bach, originally scored for the organ.

Sousa’s iconic Liberty Bell March (forever Monty Python) and Strauss’s Radetzky March (Austria’s unofficial anthem) rounded off the first half.

After the interval, a hugely appreciative audience, grateful for a clear and cloudless evening sky, was treated to Jurassic Park, The Last Samurai, Romeo and Juliet and Scheherazade -bravo BSO leader Aymn Merchant, before that stunning finale.

As the last firework faded and the final note drifted across the park, it was time pack away the picnic tables, fold up the chairs and reflect on a terrific occasion delivered by - as maestro Harrison emphasised, YOUR world class Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.

A cultural icon indeed.

Andy Martin