Oh my! Be still my exuberant heart.
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s Pixar in Concert was like poetry in sound – a transcendental experience – combining music and animation montages across 17 films.
Exploring more than kid-centric stories, the work bridges the age gap and reminds you just how powerful animation can be.
Conducted by Benjamin Northey (with such obvious affection), more than 100 musicians filled Hamer Hall with songs that are universally known and loved. Evocative, tender, sweeping, joyous, mischievous, irreverent, wondrous, introspective, sombre, nostalgic, liberating, exhilarating, inventive, bittersweet songs.
It’s music that mirrors the emotional arcs and character development of a story. And music that connects with people in a subtle way irrespective of the comedy, fantasy, adventure or drama.
“The Married Life” from Up was a 5 minute sequence that spans 60 years. It didn’t need any words. You just felt the story.
We marvelled at the underwater world in Nemo, with its gorgeous woodwind and liquid strings. We went on an epic journey with Patrick Doyle’s “Sounds of the Highlands” from Brave, accompanied by Scottish dance rhythms, reels and jigs. And practically had The Incredibles leap off the screen at us, with that magnificent horn action. Very John Barry-esque.
The six composers responsible are Randy Newman, Michael Giacchino, Thomas Newman, Patrick Doyle and brothers Mychael & Jeff Danna.
It’s story over spectacle, and their work embodies beauty, clarity and honesty.
Sublimely nuanced, utterly mesmerizing. The MSO nailed it.
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presents
Pixar in Concert
Venue: Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne
Dates: 7 – 8 April 2017
Tickets: $50 – $112
Bookings: mso.com.au | 03 9929 9600
Melbourne Reviews
Pixar in Concert | Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
- Details
- Catherine Della Bosca
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