This was published 9 years ago
Canberra Symphony Orchestra plays Babe movie live at Symphony in the Park
By Clare Colley
After watching the film Babe it's hard to forget the soundtrack and the catchy song, If I Had Words, even 20 years on from its release.
Canberrans will have the chance to hear the memorable soundtrack live while re-watching the much-loved family film when the Canberra Symphony Orchestra, led by the original composer Nigel Westlake, performs it for Symphony in the Park on Sunday.
Canberra Symphony Orchestra members David Flynn, Bjorn Pfeiffer and Meriel Owen along with the full orchestra will be performing a live soundtrack to the movie Babe on Sunday, March 13 at Stage 88.Credit: Elesa Kurtz
CSO harpist Meriel Owen said playing along to a film was "brilliant" but "challenging" for the orchestra who must ensure the music fits exactly with what's happening on screen.
"Normally we're used to imagining things inside our head, now we actually have graphics unfolding in front of us," she said.
"You can see the action and it changes the way you perceive the music. I love it.
"Normally with music it's really fluid. We can start and stop, slow things down but once the movie starts to roll that's it… we don't hit rewind."
The dialogue will be from the film's original actors, but all the music the audience hears will be performed live by the orchestra.
"It's an entirely different surround sound experience," Ms Owen said.
She said she only realised how incredible the Babe score was when she began rehearsing her part for Sunday's performance.
"It should be beautiful. The movie Babe is gorgeous, but I was amazed… it's a particular kind of listener who will isolate the music and say 'that's a fantastic score'," she said.
"Normally we just enjoy the entire experience of the film."
She said the intricate score would be a challenge for the orchestra who would have only three group rehearsals before Sunday, but some musicians will have it harder than others.
The celeste had one of the largest parts, but the violin part was particularly challenging, bass player David Flynn said.
He said members of the orchestra relied on the conductor even more than usual when performing along to a film.
The film's main song If I Had Words was from 1977 but based on about four minutes from the Saint-Saens "Organ" Symphony composed in 1886, which the CSO performed about two years ago.
"It's amazing because in the Organ Symphony you've got this theme which is grandiose… it's the massive room-filling sound and here it is applied to this little pig," Ms Owen said.
"The guy who wrote the Organ Symphony, [Camille] Saint-Saëns, would have never imagined it being treated this way."
The open-air cinema Babe screening is part of EventsACT Canberra Day celebrations.
The score will be performed live again in Sydney and Hobart.
Symphony in the Park: Babe Live in Concert is on at Stage 88, Commonwealth Park on Sunday March 13. The film starts at 7.30pm, but it is recommended to get there early to secure a spot for your picnic blanket. Admission is free.
