6 Reasons Why the KAGMO Orchestra's Hans Zimmer Concert Fell Flat

I've been on a mission to catch some of the country's top orchestras in action, and I was stoked to see the KAGMO Orchestra live in Ryazan on March 6th, 2025. I'm a huge fan of Hans Zimmer's work, and the idea of a symphonic performance of his soundtracks was right up my alley. And let me tell you, the flickering candles in the dark were pure magic!

But, let's get real - my expectations weren't met. I'll share what didn't quite hit the mark.

I couldn't find any reviews about the KAGMO Orchestra's concert with Hans Zimmer's soundtracks before buying my tickets. Despite the high attendance, the orchestra has been touring the country with this program.

I'm sharing my thoughts with you guys who are deciding whether to splurge on tickets or not. I mean, it's not like I'm trying to be a buzzkill or anything.

Ticket prices

Ranging from 2,400 to 7,000 rubles, depending on the seat. I got a 6th-row ticket for two, which came out to be around 7,400 rubles. From what I could tell, the 6th row was pretty close to the stage.

Seating capacity

The place was packed - not a single empty seat in sight.

Concert duration

57 minutes. It felt a bit short, but I was so caught up in the music that I didn't even notice until the very end.

Stage setup

There were plenty of candles, but it was all a bit...underwhelming. I mean, in the promo videos, the lighting is warm and cozy, with big candles and a sense of drama. But in real life, it was just a bunch of candles on the floor. No dynamic lighting, no nothing. It felt like they were just phoning it in.

I would've loved to see some screens with scenes from the movies that the soundtracks were from, or even just some footage of the musicians themselves. But nope, it was just a bunch of candles and a bunch of nothing. It was pretty disappointing.

Who is Hans Zimmer?

He's a super famous composer who writes soundtracks for Hollywood movies.

Which soundtracks were in the program?

There were 14 tracks in total.

1. The Ring Suite - The Ring OST

2. Dune Suite - Dune OST

3. Discombobulate - Sherlock Holmes OST

4. This Land - Король Лев OST

5. Oogway Ascends - Кунг-фу Панда OST

6. Angels and Demons Main Theme - Код да Винчи: Ангелы и Демоны OST

7. Dream Is Collapsing - Начало OST

8. Time - Начало OST

9. Cornfield Chase - Интерстеллар OST

10. No Time for Caution - Интерстеллар OST

11. My Jolly Sailor Bold - Пираты Карибского Моря OST

12. Davy Jones Theme - Пираты Карибского Моря OST

13. Jack Sparrow - Пираты Карибского Моря OST

14. Now We Are Free - Гладиатор OST

These tracks on their own weren't exactly my cup of tea (for me). But then came the live performance. Based on my past experience: I've always loved any music performed live. I hoped this rule would apply here too. But nope!

Who's this review about?

Before I dive into the pros and cons, there's something important to note. It'll help you understand whether my opinion is worth considering or not.

I have zero knowledge about music. No expertise, no taste, no hearing. All my ratings and arguments are based on 'do I like it or not?'.

That's it. Now let's get going.

❤️ What I loved

The performance was professional. To me, it all seemed 'smooth'. No 'off-key' moments - I wouldn't even know what that means. Even if there were, I couldn't tell.The concert was delayed by 10 minutes. All the latecomers calmly took their seats in the light, not in the dark.There were tons of candles. They were LED, safe. After the concert, I went up to check them out.The sound wasn't too loud or too quiet. It was just right. I once went to a concert where, in the front row, my ears physically hurt. Not here.It wasn't too long.One more track, the 15th, wasn't listed in the program, but the orchestra played it as an encore for free.That's it.

💔 What I didn't love about the CAGMO orchestra concert

I have to say, navigating the setlist was a real challenge. They don't sell printed programs, they don't announce the tracks, and there's no scrolling list. You're left to guess what's playing. The only way to keep track is to constantly check the phone for the schedule.

I was really disappointed by the live music experience. It felt like I was listening to a pre-recorded soundtrack. There was no energy, no live sound. It felt like I was watching TV, but at a price of 7,000 rubles. At one point, the drums kicked in, but the drummer on stage was late to the beat. I'm not saying they were playing under a sheet, but it felt like it. I was talking to my brother, who used to work in sound tech, and he said it was impossible to put on a live show like that. He said the drummer would need at least 12 microphones (not to mention the rest of the band). But there weren't any visible. And the acoustics were all wrong - this kind of venue doesn't do live shows. Honestly, I don't even know if it was a pre-recorded soundtrack or not. I went to get energized by live music, but I left feeling like I'd just watched a YouTube video.

The track selection was a total miss for me. The first track was played really slowly, and it's not exactly a dynamic song to begin with. It's 8 minutes of drawn-out music with no real story or development. I was stuck in my seat, wondering how I'd make it through the next 50 minutes. I paid 7,000 rubles for tedium and boredom. The second half of the concert picked up a bit, but not much. If they'd started with the last track, it would have been a whole different story. And if they'd mixed the tracks to create some dynamics, it would have been better. Now, it all feels like a gray haze.

The soundtracks were all just background music - they were made to accompany movie visuals, but there were no visuals to speak of. And on their own, they're not that interesting to listen to. There's nothing to grab your attention. I'm a big fan of Hans Zimmer's soundtracks - they've got a clear story, a clear structure. They've got memorable melodies. But this concert was all over the place. If you're into sappy, emotional stuff, maybe you'll have a different experience. For me, it all blended together, except for the Gladiator track.

I have no idea what was going on with the performance. I don't know, I'm tone deaf or something. But when I listen to the soundtrack from The Lion King, I get chills. This concert left me completely unimpressed.

I was desperate for some modern twist, some dynamics. The theme was movie soundtracks - where's the innovation? Where's the excitement? I wanted some special effects, some lighting, a girl on stage... something to make it interesting. But no, it was just a bunch of bland, unremarkable music.

But honestly, the whole thing felt like a chore. I mean, I've been to some concerts where the orchestra just phoned it in, but this one was something else. The whole vibe was just so... meh.

My Verdict

I'm not gonna lie, I'm not sure if I'd recommend this concert to anyone else. To be honest, I didn't even get any enjoyment out of it. It was boring and dull. I mean, I've been to the Vivaldi Seasons before, and that was way more impressive, even though the material was way harder.

Orchestra Kagmo is now on my blacklist. I wouldn't go see them again even if it was free.

I think they just tour too much, and they're more concerned with making a quick buck than actually putting on a good show. It's all about the money, not the music.

This concert was actually a gift for someone I care about, and I'm still feeling pretty guilty about it.