The Tucson Symphony Orchestra is going to the movies this weekend.
The orchestra, under the baton of Nashville conductor Kelly Corocoran, will perform βPixar in Concert,β a multimedia event that features the orchestra performing the soundtracks of some of Disney-Pixarβs most popular animated films.
βA big screen will show clips from the movies and the orchestra will play live to accompany the clips,β explained Corcoran, who was an associate conductor with the Nashville Symphony before recently taking over as director of the symphonyβs choir. βThereβs definitely that visual element where kids are going to see scenes and images from the films. ... I think itβs a great example of how orchestra music is not something from the past. Itβs a living, breathing art form that composers are still writing in.β
Movies featured in βPixar in Concertβ include βFinding Nemo,β βToy Story,β βThe Incredibles,β βMonsters Inc.,β βCarsβ and βBrave.β
βItβs really, really good music. I think people will love it,β said Corocoran.
Disney-Pixar developed the concert two years ago initially as a one-time βgift for San Francisco,β home of Pixar animation studios, said Jonathan Heely, director of Disney Concerts. But Disney had already figured out a business model to bring its films to the concert halls.
Heely was a driver in a number of the studios concert packages including βFantasia,β which the TSO performed last November.
Corocoran has never conducted βPixarβ nor any of the Pixar film scores, although she is familiar with the music.
βIβve seen all these movies,β said Corocoran, the mother of a 5-year-old daughter who will be in the audiences this weekend. βIβm really excited about it. This is all beloved music and Iβm a big fan of Michael Giacchino, who did the scores to βRatatouilleβ and βThe Incredibles.β Itβs just really good music.β
βIβm struck by the depth of repertoire,β she added. βItβs so many different movies. I think thatβs kind of cool to recognize that Disney-Pixar has put out that many movies. Until I started looking at this music I didnβt even process how many movies they put out.β
βI look at these wonderful stories and positive message from these things and I am really blessed to say I had a part in it. Itβs a touching program,β added Heely. βItβs almost like they distilled the most meaningful moments from these films. Itβs very emotional.β
So just how will the TSO synchronize its performance with the film clips?
Thatβs the tricky part, said Corocoran.
In addition to having eyes on a screen showing the film clips, the conductor will have a device in her ear that will click when the scenes change.
βYou have to kind of hit your mark and be at the appropriate scene at the right moment,β said Corocoran, who has conducted live performances of film scores from βPsychoβ and βCasablancaβ and was a regular behind the podium of the βLegends of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddessesβ tour β all of which used the clicker system. βYou have to stay in line with the film. Thereβs no room for me to infuse my own tempo or speed. Itβs a different kind of approach, but itβs fun. I love doing things like this.β
Other film soundtracks featured in the matinee concerts the orchestra will perform on Saturday, Nov. 28, and Sunday, Nov. 29, are βRatatouille,β βWall-Eβ and βUp,β which won the 2009 Academy Award for best original score.