Utah Symphony Presents PIXAR IN CONCERT Tonight

In a world where race cars talk, robots fall in love, rats aspire to be star chefs, and toys come to life, Pixar has created some of the greatest stories in movie history through the magic of computer animation, compelling stories and of course, music.

Experience the joy of Pixar's most beloved characters and memorable musical scores in a whole new light on January 3 and 4 at Abravanel Hall as the Utah Symphony performs the music of cinema's favorite animated stories including "Monsters, Inc.", "Cars", and "Toy Story"as highlights from the movies bring to life Woody, Lightning McQueen, and Nemo on the big screen.

From the heartwarming "Toy Story" trilogy to the universal humanity behind "WALL-E" and "UP", Pixar has brought audiences some of the most moving and memorable moments in movie history. Audiences are immersed in a multi-media experience for the senses as they watch stunning HD, widescreen images featuring clips from Pixar's 13 animated as the Utah Symphony performs musical selections from the scores live.

With the help of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, Pixar Animation Studios became a corporation in 1986. The studio's first effort, 1995's "Toy Story," was the first feature-length computer animated film, earning instant critical and commercial success. A further string of successful films, among them "A Bug's Life," "Monsters, Inc.," "Finding Nemo" and "The Incredibles," inspired The Walt Disney Company to purchase the studio in 2006.

Pixar films are frequently recognized for their careful attention to music, complementing their storytelling with scores that range from beautiful and heart wrenching to thrilling and action-packed. Composers Randy Newman, Michael Giacchino, Thomas Newman and Patrick Doyle have each lent their jazz, pop and classical music styles to multiple Pixar films; collectively, these composers have earned three Academy Awards, received dozens of Oscar nominations, and won ten Grammys for their Pixar compositions.

Pixar in Concert has been presented by orchestras across the United States including the New York Philharmonic, San Diego Symphony and Boston Pops, as well as internationally in Mexico City, Puerto Rico, China, United Kingdom and Australia.

Single tickets for the performance start at $18 and can be purchased by phone at (801) 355-2787, in person at the Abravanel Hall ticket office (123 W. South Temple) or online by visiting www.utahsymphony.org. Those desiring group discounts should call (801) 869-9046. All ticket prices are subject to change and availability, and will increase $5 when purchased on the day of the performance.

GUEST ARTIST BIOGRAPHY

Vladimir Kulenovic - Associate Conductor

Since his professional conducting debut in 2006 with the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, Canada, Kulenovic has conducted performances with the Verbier Festival Orchestra, Beethoven-Orchester Bonn, Deutsche Kammerakademie Neuss am Rhein, Aspen Music Festival AACA Orchestra, Cabrillo Festival Orchestra, New Amsterdam Symphony Orchestra, Indian Hill Orchestra, Connecticut Valley Chamber Orchestra, Juilliard Conductors' Orchestra, Manhattan School of Music Symphony Orchestra, Peabody Institute Symphony Orchestra and Boston Conservatory Orchestra.

Kulenovic studied with Kurt Masur at the Kurt Masur Conducting Seminar in New York in 2008 and 2009, as well as at the Beethoven-Orchester Bonn and the Verbier Festival in Switzerland, where his final performance with the Verbier Festival Orchestra was internationally televised on Medici TV. Kulenovic spent the summer of 2010 as a conducting fellow at the Aspen Music Festival, and has also conducted in other prestigious music festivals worldwide, including the National Arts Centre Conducting Programme, the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, and the Mozarteum Internationale Sommerakademie in Salzburg.

Program:

The Utah Symphony presents

Pixar in Concert

Abravanel Hall, 123 West South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah

Tonight, January 3, 2013, 7:00 PM / Saturday January 4, 2013, 7:00 PM

Vladimir Kulenovic, Conductor

Randy Newman Fanfare from "Toy Story"

Thomas Newman "Finding Nemo"

Michael Giacchino Suite from "Ratatouille"

Randy Newman "A Bug's Life"

Thomas Newman Suite from "WALL-E"

Randy Newman "Toy Story 2"

Randy Newman Suite from "Cars"

Michael Giacchino Suite from "UP"

INTERMISSION

Michael Giacchino Suite from "The Incredibles"

Randy Newman "Monsters, Inc."

Michael Giacchino Suite from "Cars 2"

Patrick Doyle (PRS) "Brave"

Randy Newman "Toy Story"

About the Utah Symphony: Founded in 1940, the Utah Symphony is dedicated to providing Utah residents and visitors with great performances which engage, educate and enrich lives. Utah Symphony | Utah Opera, the orchestra's parent organization, reaches 450,000 citizens in Utah and the Intermountain region, with educational outreach programs serving more than 155,000 students annually. The orchestra presents more than 70 performances each season in Abravanel Hall, participates in the Utah Opera's four annual productions at the Capitol Theater, in addition to numerous community concerts throughout Utah and the annual outdoor summer series - the Deer Valley Music Festival -in Park City, Utah. With its many subscription, education and outreach concerts and tours, the Utah Symphony is one of the most engaged full-time orchestras in the nation. For more information visit www.utahsymphony.org.

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