I love them. Call them musical mash ups or crossovers, if you will. When two genres of music or even two worlds of pop culture collide, I’m all over it. That’s why the forthcoming shows of the Pacific Symphony have got me all excited.
Next week, Pacific Symphony gets its game on for a special summer concert featuring video game music. “Video Games Live” is created and produced by legendary video game producer Tommy Tallarico. It is a multimedia concert experience featuring the best music and video from the most popular games past and present. I’ve seen videos of other choirs and orchestras performing music from video games like Super Mario, Zelda, Halo etc. on YouTube. Currently, my kids and I enjoy performances of the theme from Skyrim!
“It’s the power and emotion of a symphony orchestra combined with the excitement and energy of a rock concert,” describes Tallarico. “The technology, fun and interactivity of a video game are all completely synchronized to amazing cutting-edge video screen visuals, state-of-the art lighting, special effects and special on-stage interactive segments with the audience.” The Pacific Symphony will perform “Video Games Live,” led by Guest Conductor Emmanuel Fratianni and featuring vocal soloist Jillian Aversa and the Glendale College Concert Singers on Wednesday, July 17, at 8 p.m. at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine.
Here’s a look at a PBS Special featuring “Video Games Live” back in 2010.
Next month, I look forward to two shows by the Pacific Symphony. I’ve already written about the Wavelength Music Festival in late August. On August 4, the classical world and pop music come together in “Roll Over Beethoven -From Bach to Rock.” The Pacific Symphony and Music Director Carl St.Clair will deliver music’s greatest hits, sharing the stage with the 40-piece dance band, J.T. and Friends, to perform songs by music icons: The Beatles, Chuck Berry, Aretha Franklin, the Pointer Sisters, Rod Stewart, Whitney Houston and more. They will also perform selections from Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” and Bach’s “Air on the G String,” among many other classical favorites. The concert takes place Sunday, Aug. 4, at 7:30 p.m. at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine.
