Philharmonia Fantastique: The Making of the Orchestra is a 25-minute multi-media concerto from Mason Bates, composer of the Grammy Award-winning opera The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, in collaboration with Oscar-winning director and sound designer Gary Rydstrom, and animation director Jim Capobianco. The animated film flies through the instruments of the orchestra to explore the fundamental connections between music, sound, performance, creativity and technology.
The soundtrack won the 2023 Grammy Award for Best Engineered Album, Classical.
Music by Mason Bates Directed by Gary Rydstrom Written by Mason Bates & Gary Rydstrom Animation direction by Jim Capobianco Produced by Alex D. da Silva & Mason Bates Executive producers Jody Allen, Rocky Collins, Ruth Johnston & Mary Pat Buerkle Soundtrack recorded by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Edwin Outwater
Commissioned by Chicago Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, American Youth Symphony, Sakana Foundation, John & Marcia Goldman Foundation and Paul J. Sekhri & The Sekhri Family Foundation.
With thanks to the Heinz Family Foundation, Bette and Joe Hirsch, Judy and David Anderson, Noelle and Evan Shahin, Robin Raborn and John Lazlo, Paula Blank and Irwin Derman for their generous contribution to the education program and digital materials for Philharmonia Fantastique and Sprite’s World.
With thanks to the John & Marcia Goldman Foundation, Carol M. Kaganov and Joseph & Bette Hirsch for their generous support of the inaugural educational installation of Philharmonia Fantastique at Moonshoot Studio at The REACH, Kennedy Center.