IT’S ALL ABOUT MUSIC AND MAGIC
by joel martens
FANTASIA
EXPERIENCE IT THREE WAYS
Saying that Walt Disney set out to create something unique is an understatement. His inspired ideas were the threads that knit together
the fabric of many American childhood memories, becoming an intricate part of their youthful experiences for children throughout the world. This summer, those of us in Southern California have three great opportunities to experience “Disney Magic” and some of his earliest and best-known “Imagineerings.” Come hear the music, see the sprites, watch that distinctive mouse come alive on screen and view the drawings that made it happen. Come experience “the dreams and wishes” that Disney’s heart actually made.
THE MUSIC OF DISNEY’S FANTASIA Who can forget their first Fantasia moments seeing those delightful characters dancing across the screen, with such fluidity and to the sounds of one of the greatest musical masters of his time. Leopold Stokowski, the music director for the Philadelphia Orchestra was approached by Disney in a chance meeting at Chasen’s Restaurant in Hollywood in 1940 and to his delight agreed to work on the score for the film. Under Stokowski’s tutelage Fantasia was enlivened with masterworks like “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” by Dukas, Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 5,” Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker” Suite and Debussy’s “Claire de Lune,” as Walt Disney’s bewitched broomsticks, dancing hippos, star-crossed satyrs and one magical mouse, danced magically across the screen. Hear the notes and experience the music come to life, as the big screen above
is filled with those much-love characters. They are accompanied by a live perfor- mance of the original 1940 Fantasia score as well as portions from the sequel, Fantasia 2000. Disney Pictures released the sequel in 1999 and like its predecessor, the animated film is filled with classical masterworks; Stravinsky’s Suite from “The Firebird,” Beethoven’s Allegro con brio from Symphony no. 5 in c minor and “Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin, complementing the Disney animations. The Pacific Symphony and San Diego Symphony are each taking up the task of
playing portions of the stunning score in each of their live performances, as syn- chronized high-def, big-screen versions of Fantasia and Fantasia 2000 scenes are projected above. Come delight in the magic that only a live orchestra can provide as Richard Kaufman from the Pacific Symphony and Randall Craig Fleischer of the San Diego Symphony, conduct this evening of delightful fun. The Pacific Symphony performance of selected music from Fantasia takes place at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, 8808 Irvine Center Drive in Irvine on Saturday, August 9. To purchase tickets call 714.755.5799 or go to
pacificsymphony.org.
28 RAGE monthly | AUGUST 2014 RAGE monthly | AUGUST 2014
The San Diego Symphony’s Summer Pops Concert featuring the selected music of Fantasia, is taking place at Embarcadero Marina Park South, overlooking the beautiful San Diego Harbor in Downtown on Sunday, August 10. To purchase tickets or for more information call 619.235.0804 or go to
sandiegosymphony.org.
THE ART OF DISNEY Fantasia truly was one of the early miracles to come out of Disney’s mind. With
it, came the millions of “cels” necessary to animate each minuscule step, sweeping movement and artful dance, for each of the characters represented. Each piece is an individual work of art and don thousands of collector’s walls as a remembrance of the fulfillment of those childhood dreams. Many have disappeared from view, seen only by those who have collected them. But, every once in a while, the magic returns into view and this summer it’s happening for all to see at the California Center for the Arts. The David Yaruss collection began in 1975 at one of the first Comic-Cons in
San Diego and he credits that experience for kick-starting his passion for original Disney works. A compendium that has grown monumentally and in to one he characterizes as “too precious not to share.” Enjoy this unprecedented debut of over 250 original Disney animation cels,
concept sketches, painted backgrounds and storyboard drawings featuring be- loved Disney characters including Pinocchio, Snow White, Peter Pan and Mickey Mouse. Take a step back in time to the Golden Age of Animation, when 24 hand- drawn cels were required for a single second of animated film. The Art of Fantasia and Other Disney Classics: The David Yaruss Collection is on display through Sunday, September 7 at the California Center for the Arts, 340 North Escondido Boulevard in Escondido. To purchase tickets, or for more information call 800.988.4253 or go to
artcenter.org.
mickey mouse © disney
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