Live orchestral music is always powerful. It can encompass so many musical elements, offering the listener something wonderful to experience. With that being said, it’s hard to imagine a better partner to the live orchestral experience than a film that brings together the talents of the long-standing partnership between Tim Burton and Danny Elfman.
The Nightmare Before Christmas arrived in Toronto for three showings over two days at the iconic Roy Thomson Hall, backed by the always-reliable and impressive Toronto Symphony Orchestra. With a story and characters by Tim Burton and music and singing voice by Danny Elfman, it was the perfect blend of film and sound. People laughed, cheered, and clapped at their favorite parts as the orchestra expertly played along with the maddeningly wonderful, high-energy score.
With veteran conductor Steven Reineke at the helm, the energy was high from the opening notes, and the audience was on board right away. The animated film, using stop-motion animation, tells the story of Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, who mistakenly discovers Christmas Town and becomes energized and excited by it. However, his attempt to bring Christmas to Halloween Town causes confusion, and chaos reigns when he kidnaps Santa Claus to take his place.
The unique blend of stop-motion animation, talented voice actors, and the chaotic story and musical score gives the audience a wild ride. The Toronto Symphony Orchestra, which spans film genres and musical styles, used every musician and instrument in its arsenal to give the film that magical extra bit of energy, one you can only find in live performance. While the story unfolded on screen, the bigger story unfolded on stage, as this collection of talented musicians brought it and its characters to life.
Beyond the magical combination of Burton and Elfman, conductor Reineke’s role in bringing Elfman’s score to life was equally impressive. Reineke, who has been the Principal Pops Conductor since October 2012, was as full of energy as ever, perhaps even more so in this performance, given how much is going on in the music. He and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra have worked together for a long time, and that relationship paid dividends this evening, as they worked in chaotic harmony to deliver the music to the crowd.
Speaking of the crowd, there was definitely a buzz in the air before the performance started. The film, originally released in October 1993 under Disney’s Touchstone Pictures label, earned a modest profit. However, as it hit video stores and home video on DVD, the now-classic began to build a following and is now celebrated every year in one way or another.
There were definitely fans celebrating on this night, decked out in Nightmare Before Christmas apparel and singing songs word for word. There was every indication that this film continues to resonate with audiences, both young and old.
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With a runtime of less than 90 minutes, The Nightmare Before Christmas and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra merged for a frantic, fun-filled evening of music and mayhem. While the debate rages on about whether this is a Christmas or Halloween movie, there can be no denying that the dedicated fans of all ages, including those who attended this October show, left the great concert hall with nothing but smiles on their faces.
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