Fantasia 2014 With The Pacific Symphony

Fantasia and Fantasia 2000 both beautifully blend music and animation into a multi-sensory spectacle which celebrates both classical music and animation. This Saturday, August 9, 2014, audiences will be able to enjoy this music and animation live at the Disney Fantasia: Live in Concert. Performed by our friends at the Pacific Symphony based in Orange County, CA and conducted by Richard Kaufman, the concert will present classic music from both Fantasia movies while the original animation is projected on screen.

We were able to speak with maestro Richard Kaufman about this upcoming concert and the relationship between Disney animation and music. Kaufman has conducted many Disney concerts, including a live performance of the Pirates of the Caribbean score and last year’s Pixar in Concert. This Saturday, Kaufman will be conducting the Pacific Symphony as they perform alongside the projected animation.

Kaufman made his excitement and his love for Disney music very clear, saying, “I’ve always loved the music in Disney films, both animation and live action. And the idea of presenting this wonderful music in a concert setting with the film makes it a whole new kind of experience for the audience.”

The concept behind both Fantasia movies sets classical music to stunning animated visuals. Kaufman spoke on the adaptation of classicalmusic, saying “with Fantasia, much of the music is in the traditional symphonic repertoire. But, it’s revised to fit the picture, the visual. And therefore, the orchestra has got to become familiar with this new version.” The Pacific Symphony works to make this revision of classical music into a live reality.

Commenting on the difference between recordings and live concerts, Kaufman noted, “audiences can expect to see and hear these films as they’ve never experienced them before. If you’re sitting in a movie theater or in your home, you’re hearing recorded music and watching the visual. When you’re in a concert setting with the music played live, you hear everything that the composer’s bringing, and you also have the visual excitement of watching the orchestra perform the music.”

It’s clear that Kaufman and the orchestra are well phrased in presenting the magical music, but what’s the music if you don’t know Disney?! But audiences can rest knowing that their maestro is also a big Disney fan! When we asked what his favorite piece of Disney music is, he exclaimed, “Oh my goodness, I have so many favorites…there are so many pieces of music that have been presented in Disney films. It would be very difficult for me to name just one!”

At the heart of it, the reason why people like Kaufman and orchestras like the Pacific Symphony perform Disney concerts is because it can not only help you appreciate symphonic music, but do so in an entertaining way. “The wonderful thing about Disney entertainment is that its for everyone. It’s pure entertainment visually and musically, and I can’t think of anything more exciting than to experience something like Fantasia live in concert.”

Whether you’re a classical music-lover or an animation buff (young or young at heart), this concert is for you! Disney Fantasia: Live in Concert will be presented at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine, California. Tickets are still available on the Pacific Symphony’s website…

…But we’ll also be giving away 1 pair of tickets to the show happening this Saturday, 8/9! All you have to do is subscribe to our e-newsletter. We’ll select and notify one winner from the email addresses submitted between now and this Thursday, August 7 at 3 PM. Subscribe simply using the form below.

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Are you excited to have a classic Disney film come to life through music? Did you enjoy the Fantasia films? Why or why not? Comment below!