Philharmonia Fantastique

OVERVIEW

Philharmonia Fantastique: The Making of the Orchestra is a 25-minute concerto for orchestra & animated film that flies through the instruments of the orchestra to explore the age-old connection of creativity and technology. Philharmonia Fantastique is a collaboration between composer and DJ Mason Bates, Oscar-winning director and sound designer Gary Rydstrom, and animation director Jim Capobianco.

Guided by a magical Sprite, we see violin strings vibrate, brass valves slice air, and drum heads resonate. Imaginatively blending traditional and modern animation styles, it is a kinetic and cutting edge guide to the orchestra. By the film’s end, the orchestra overcomes its differences to demonstrate “unity from diversity” in a spectacular finale.

Premiered in the 2021-2022 season, the work was commissioned by Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony and the American Youth Symphony. The work received support from the Sakana Foundation, John & Marcia Goldman Foundation and Paul J. Sekhri & The Sekhri Family Foundation.

Specialist education consultants, The Edie Demas Group, have developed a Youth Resource Guide with a compelling range of educational content identifying the work’s major themes, core objectives, curriculum connections, and support materials spanning print and digital mediums.

The film is now available for purchase or rent on Apple TV.

Stream the Grammy Award-winning soundtrack — performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra — on Apple Music today!

For more information visit www.spritesworld.org