The Snowman and The Bear at Bath Philharmonia – Everyone has their own Christmas traditions that bring the whole family together. From designing Christmas cards to decorating gingerbread houses to taking part in the school nativity play, there are many activities that build anticipation and wonder and help manage children’s excitement in the run up to Christmas Day. Bath Philharmonia invites you to bring your family to a double bill of seasonal films to entertain the family at the start of the holidays. The Bear and The Snowman will be performed live on Friday 22 December 2017 at 3.30pm at The Forum in Bath.
The Forum is a beautifully restored art deco cinema, which is the perfect place to not only hear, but also to see The Snowman and The Bear on the large screen. Bath Philharmonia, Bath’s very own professional orchestral, will perform Howard Blake’s music live to Raymond Briggs’ magical animations.
First broadcast on Channel 4 in 1982, The Snowman has been an annual favourite ever since. One winter’s night, a snowman comes to life and an unforgettable adventure begins for a boy named James. Everyone delights in the magical, haunting theme ‘Walking in the Air’ as James flies through the sky with The Snowman.
The Bear is the story of an imaginative girl called Tilly who befriends a Polar Bear at the zoo and wants to help him to get back to the North Pole. One night the polar bear comes to stay with Tilly. His teeth and claws may be scary but his white furry coat is the warm and soft and Tilly decides he’s the cuddliest thing in the whole world. Tilly soon finds out that a big bear can cause big problems and takes a lot of looking after! But when she describes the bear’s latest antics to her parents they think he’s a figment of her imagination, or is he?
The musicians in Bath Philharmonia love performing Howard Blake’s music. For this concert, a forty-strong orchestra enjoy matching their musical sounds to the animation on screen. Our booming low tuba will growl like the polar bear and our fanfare of trumpet players will herald the arrival of the angels and the Star Bear. Listen as our percussion team try to keep up with The Snowman’s racing motorbike and smile as our celeste player puts the magical sprinkles on top of The Snowman’s iced Christmas cake.
Music Director of Bath Phil, Jason Thornton said
“It’s always a delight to see such a magical response to The Snowman from young and old alike. The concert is totally relaxed and The Forum is full of people of all ages. It’s a brilliant way for young children to experience their first live orchestral concert – I can’t wait.”
Bath Philharmonia is one of the leading professional orchestras in the South West and performs concerts of outstanding artistic quality with soloists from a national and international platform. We programme a rich and diverse repertoire, broadening audiences and promoting the live orchestral experience to all members of our community.
Tickets for this concert are £18 for adults and £12 for children with reserved seating available at the Bath Box Office 01225 463362 www.bathboxoffice.org.uk or Ticketline 0844 888 9991 www.bathforum.co.uk
The Snowman and The Bear – Double Bill
Bath Philharmonia
Friday 22 December, 3.30pm, The Forum, Bath
© Snowman Enterprises Limited
“The Snowman” by Raymond Briggs is published by Puffin
Image © Snowman Enterprises Limited
