After witnessing Frozen Planet Friday night in stunning HD accompanied by the National Symphony Orchestra at The Filene Center; one thing remains perfectly clear. Nature trumps all!
I use to be one who considered 3D animation the pinnacle of film; limitless boundaries of invention and imagination. Not to be lost has been the advancements in HD cinematography as well. Although I don’t think anything produced on a green screen could come close to the alluring visual masterpiece that is our planet. When nature is synchronized to an orchestral score live it really is something to behold. It’s amazing how with all the visual advancements in film, orchestral scores remain as the best audio-visual accompaniment.
This concert was an exact representation of the film minus the David Attenborough narration. The original composer George Fenton was the NSO’s guest conductor and would provide light commentary prior to each segment explaining various situations. The magnificence was unbound; birds eye views of bright picturesque snowy landscapes, floating ice giants surrounded by an emerald sea. The gradual dynamics of George Fenton’s scores gave you a sense of ascension. This orchestral sound created immense exhilaration.
The music was grand yet subtle and seemed to peak at all the right moments. It complimented the film superbly. For every high definition slow motion action sequence the sound seemed to climax accentuating the experience.
Just as interesting as the setting was the multitude of wildlife. There was the great grey owl with its chimera-like talons. Then there were the packs of killer whales rolling beneath the waves. What really stole the show were the penguins. The Adélie penguins in particular were a crowd favorite. They waddled and belly-flopped across the screen. The under water shots were astonishing; herds of penguins torpedoing up out of the water. This wildlife behavior really generated a response from the audience, not your typical orchestral concert. It was fun though, reacting to the animal’s behavior in unison with the crowd.
It’s such a unique participation when your sensory perception is flooded with such brilliance. The sound wasn’t over-bearing and was a quality attribution to the total overall experience. There were moments the symphonic essence was unmatched when combined with footage of the aurora borealis. Better than any computer graphics I’ve ever seen. Really, words can’t describe it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4cX2EPt2zE
Frozen Planet is a world of danger and elegance. Visually it’s like a masterpiece portrait illuminating vibrant spectrums of color. The entertainment value is unparalleled. The orchestra’s magnificent sound drew you in and the majestic exquisiteness of the film captured your emotions and left you wanting more.
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