In a world of Frozens and Moanas, it’s easy to forget about some of Walt Disney’s earliest feature films. In 1940, Disney undertook his biggest creative venture at the time with Fantasia, a film that merged together his passions for animation and classical music.
Fast forward to 2022 and Disney’s musical masterpiece will be given new life when the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra performs the score live in concert. Fantasia in Concert features the music from Fantasia played live by the MSO as the animated film plays on the big screen.
Fantasia was only the third feature film to be made by Disney and was groundbreaking for its use of stereophonic sound (multidirectional sound that was still a new medium in 1940). The film consists of eight works of classical music played against eight short films that perfectly illustrate the compositions. Standout scenes include the dancing mushrooms set against Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite; the deeply terrifying demon from Mussorgsky’s Night on Bald Mountain; and of course the famous image of Mickey Mouse dressed as a wizard for Dukas’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.
The original film features the Philadelphia Orchestra performing all works – here in Melbourne you’ll, of course, be hearing the songs performed by the MSO. Fantasia in Concert is showing in Melbourne April 9 at the Plenary, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
