Featured Artists
Aram Demirjian
Disney’s Fantasia was a stroke of brilliance in 1940, marrying symphonic music and animation in a way that was revolutionary to both mediums. Now, experience this groundbreaking animated classic like you never have before with The Philadelphia Orchestra performing beloved repertoire from Fantasia (1940) and its sequel Fantasia 2000, including The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, live to film. Enjoy the iconic moments of your childhood and ignite the imaginations of a new generation this January.
Since the 1940 release of this groundbreaking animated film, tens of millions of people have discovered the drama, passion, and joy of classical music through its brilliant score, a score made unforgettable by the landmark performance of The Philadelphia Orchestra led by Leopold Stokowski.
The posters in theaters at the time screamed “Motion Picture Magic as You’ve Never Seen It Before!” and Stokowski got equal billing with Walt Disney (although Walt’s name was above the title.)
It was an audacious idea, an animated film with no dialogue, that set visually stunning, appealing tales to great classical music: Mickey Mouse as a daft little wizard, conjuring up magic to the thrill of Dukas’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Pegasus soaring to the strains of Beethoven’s Sixth Symphony, and hippos cavorting to Ponchielli’s “Dance of the Hours.” Share a whimsical moment of Philadelphia Orchestra history as we celebrate our 125h birthday!
Presentation Licensed by Disney© Concerts
*Original soundtrack recorded by The Philadelphia Orchestra
Family Discovery Series Packages
This show is part of our Family Discovery Series. Buy two or more shows and save!
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Program
Bach
Toccata and Fugue in D minor
Tchaikovsky
Excerpts from The Nutcracker
Beethoven
Excerpts from Symphony No. 5
Stravinsky
Excerpts from The Firebird
Ponchielli
"Dance of the Hours," from La Gioconda
Debussy
"Clair de lune," from Suite bergamasque
Beethoven
Excerpts from Symphony No. 6 ("Pastoral")
Dukas
The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Approximate Duration
includes intermission
