’Philharmonia Fantastique’ soundtrack, recorded by the CSO, out April 22

Mason Bates views his Philharmonia Fantastique: The Making of the Orchestra as promoting a message of unity. “It’s an exploration of human connection,” he said, “and the bonds that art and creativity can forge across language and race.”  ’

The work, which was commissioned by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and five other U.S. ensembles, is a 23-minute concerto accompanied by a film that combines live action and animation. It has another CSO connection. The soundtrack, which Sony will release on April 22, was recorded by Chicago Symphony, conducted by Edwin Outwater. The CSO and Outwater also will perform the work live for two Family Matinee concerts at 11 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. May 14 at Symphony Center.

Bates, a former CSO Composer-in-Residence, worked with Oscar-winning sound designer Gary Rydstrom and Oscar-nominated animator Jim Capobianco to create Philharmonia Fantastique. The concerto portrays the four sections of the orchestra as distinct families, each with its own unique sound worlds and musical motifs. The work’s message is one of unity: the diverse instruments are most powerful when they work together as one giant instrument.

“I wanted the four families of the orchestra to be highly differentiated so that we could create dramatic tension in the second part of the piece, where the families can’t quite unify,” Bates said. “The way they finally come together is to learn to play each other’s themes. That element of coming together and transcending their differences became a key inspiration for us as the piece unfolded.”

Nearly every aspect of the concerto underscores the theme that the orchestra is the ideal marriage of tradition and innovation. The title itself references Hector Berlioz’s revolutionary Symphonie fantastique, but the music of Philharmonia Fantastique ventures beyond classical to mix in elements of jazz and techno.

Ultimately, the works explores the human connection, and the bonds that art and creativity can forge across language and race. According to Bates, the orchestra is “a super instrument. As it brings its marvels of engineering together into a single pitch, we are witnessing both art and science. The same orchestra that explores our emotional depths is also our finest example of interactive technology.”

Bates also points out that the orchestra also is “one of the greatest human creations,” and Philharmonia Fantastique: The Making of the Orchestra is a fitting celebration.

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES of Philharmonia Fantastique:

May 12-15, National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington D.C.

Aug. 5, San Diego Symphony, the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, San Diego.

Jan. 21 2023, Nashville Symphony, Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Nashville.

Jan. 29, 2023, Kansas City Symphony, Kauffman Center, Kansas City, Mo.

April 11, 2023, Utah Symphony, Noorda Center for the Performing Arts, Orem, Utah.