Modesto Symphony Orchestra Association
Disney's Fantasia in Concert
Live to Film
Friday, February 7, 2025, 7:30 pm
Saturday, February 8, 2025, 7:30 pm
Gallo Center for the Arts, Mary Stuart Rogers Theater
Ryan Murray, conductor
Disney’s Fantasia in Concert Live to Film features highlights from two of Disney’s most extraordinary and groundbreaking animated features, Fantasia (1940), and its sequel Fantasia 2000 (1999).
Classical selections include Beethoven’s “The Pastoral Symphony,” Debussy’s “Clair de Lune,” Ponchielli’s “Dance of the Hours,” Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance,” Respighi’s “Pines of Rome,” and Dukas’ “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” and more.
Released to great acclaim in 1940, Walt Disney’s Fantasia was his boldest experiment at the time and culminated in the creative visionary’s desire to blend animated imagery with classical music. The original recording of the film’s score was conducted by Leopold Stokowski with the Philadelphia Orchestra, captured in stereophonic sound, which was still an experimental medium at the time. What had begun as a vehicle to develop Mickey Mouse’s career with an animation short titled “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” went on to become a genuine cinema classic.
Walt’s dream in 1941 was to turn Fantasia into an ongoing event with new segments. This was finally realized in 1999 with Fantasia 2000, a spectacular follow-up spearheaded by Walt’s nephew, Roy E. Disney. The recorded score from Fantasia 2000 was conducted by James Levine and performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Presentation licensed by Disney Concerts © All rights reserved.
BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67
I. Allegro con brio
BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68, “Pastorale”
III. Lustiges Zusammensein der Landleute
IV. Gewitter, Sturm (Thunderstorm)
V. Hirtengesang, frohe und dankbare Gefühle nach dem Sturm
TCHAIKOVSKY: Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a
II. Characteristic Dances
b. Danse de la fée-dragée
e. Danse chinoise
f. Danse des mirlitons
d. Danse arabe
c. Danse russe trepak
III. Valse des fleurs
DEBUSSY/STOKOWSKY: Claire de Lune
STRAVINSKY: Firebird Suite (1919)
Ronde des princesses
Danse infernale du roi Kastcheï
Berceuse – Finale
Intermission
PONCHIELLI: “Dance of the Hours” from La Gioconda
DUKAS: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
ELGAR/SCHICKELE: Pomp and Circumstance (No. 1, 2, 3 and 4)
RESPIGHI: Pines of Rome
I. Pines of the Villa Borghese
III. Pines of the Janiculum
IV. Pines of the Appian Way
SAINT-SAËNS/COUGHLIN: Finale from Carnival of the Animals
CONCERT RUN TIME IS APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS WITH A 20 MINUTE INTERMISSION.
2024-25 Season Partner
The DoubleTree by Hilton™ Modesto is the official hotel of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra.
Photography, sound, or video recording of this performance is strictly prohibited. Please remember to silence all electronic devices and refrain from text messaging during the concert. Mobile devices may be used to read program notes during the concert.
Program and artists subject to change. E&OE.
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