BBC Radio 5 Live’s film critic Mark Kermode will join BBC National Orchestra of Wales on stage this September, to present a glittering evening of American film scores at Cardiff’s St David’s Hall.

One of Britain’s most outspoken film critics, Mark Kermode will introduce an evening of scores cherry-picked from the best of American cinema.

The concert will delve into fifties epics and sci-fi fantasies alike, and includes music by movie legends such as John Williams, Danny Elfman and Leonard Bernstein.

The evening concert on Wednesday 18 September, 7.30pm, will include music such as the sweeping melodies in Elmer Bernstein’s Magnificent Seven Theme; the thrill of John Williams’ Raiders March from Raiders of the Lost Ark; and Bernard Herrmann’s spine-chilling scores from Vertigo and Taxi Driver.

Pianist Martin Roscoe will join the Orchestra on stage to play Miklós Rózsa’s Spellbound Concerto, based on the music Rózsa composed for Hitchcock’s 1945 thriller.

The evening will be led by the acclaimed American conductor Robert Ziegler, who has a string of credits to his name, including conducting the soundtrack music to Sense and Sensibility, De-Lovely, Dreamhouse and The Simpsons.

For the Orchestra’s Director, David Jackson, the concert is a chance for the musicians to show off their skills: “As a BBC orchestra, we’ve developed a reputation over the years for our work on everything from nature documentaries right through to television and radio jingles – and of course, we’re known as the Doctor Who Orchestra.

“Our musicians are particularly good at playing this very colourful music to accompany pictures, and I think the audience will be in for a real treat as we explore these gems of American cinema.”

America at the Movies will be the Orchestra’s opening concert of their 2013-14 season at St David’s Hall, where they are Orchestra-in-Residence.

Tickets for America at the Movies, on Wednesday 18 September, 7.30pm, are £10-£29 (discounts available) and are available through the BBC National Orchestra of Wales Audience Line, by calling 0800 052 1812.

Alternatively, tickets are available through the St David’s Hall Box Office on 029 2087 8444, or online at stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk.