Concert

Beethoven's Pastorale

Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 10, 2026 at 2:30 p.m.

California Theatre,
San Jose, CA

Concert Length
Approx. 1 hr 50 min. with intermission

Music Notes occur one hour prior to the concert in the auditorium.

Artists

  • Vinay Parameswaran, conductor
    Symphony San Jose

Program

  • Antonín Dvořák

    Carnival Overture

  • Mason Bates

    Philharmonia Fantastique

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony No. 6 (Pastorale)

About This Performance

Experience the majesty of nature through Beethoven’s musical landscape, where every note tells the story of harmony between humanity and earth. This supremely evocative journey takes you on an unforgettable journey through our serene, powerful, and breathtaking world.

Mason Bates’ concerto for orchestra and animated film explores the age-old connection between creativity and technology as our magical Sprite gives us a kinetic and cutting-edge guide to the orchestra.

Opening the concert is Dvořák’s high-spirited depiction of a festive carnival setting – a rousing testament to our capacity for joy and celebration.

Projection onto a giant screen on stage!

Philharmonia Fantastique is a 25-minute concerto for orchestra & animated film that follows a magical Sprite on a musical journey through the instruments of the orchestra. By the film’s end, the families of the orchestra overcome their differences to demonstrate “unity from diversity” in a spectacular finale.

Philharmonia Fantastique was written by Mason Bates, and co-created with multi Academy Award winning Gary Rydstrom, and Academy Award nominated animation director Jim Capobianco.

“A truly magnificent achievement…In the art of marrying music with animation, Philharmonia Fantastique is the biggest step forward since Fantasia itself.”
– John Williams

Meet Sprite!