Today’s full-length Disney features owe their existence to the Silly Symphonies, and now comes the ultimate celebration of those historic roots.
The Silly Symphony Collection is the definitive tribute to this iconic short film series that retold classic fairy tales and fables by pioneering the art forms of animation and synchronized sound from 1929 through 1939. The new set presents all 75 soundtracks, from famous titles like The Three Little Pigs (basically the Frozen of 1933) to unfamiliar selections like The Clock Store.
The material will be presented on 16 vinyl LPs stored in 8 tip-on gatefold jackets. The delights of such composers as Frank Churchill, Carl Stalling, and Leigh Harline will be wonderful for fans to experience in this special format. Each short’s soundtrack is accompanied by notes from Disney historians J.B. Kaufman and Russell Merritt, authors of Walt Disney’s Silly Symphonies: A Companion to the Classic Cartoon Series.
Guests of the D23 Expo will be the first to be able to pre-order the set at the Anaheim Convention Center this August 14-16. Beginning August 17, pre-orders will be available through Disney Music Emporium at SillySymphonyCollection.com. Purchase is $399.98 and includes the physical set, digital copies of all the music, and a limited edition 10″ vinyl single featuring The Skeleton Dance and The Three Little Pigs. The set will be shipped in time for the holidays.
This isn’t the only way Disney will celebrate Silly Symphonies this year. The D23 Expo will also spotlight the series with “Disney in Concert: A Silly Symphony Celebration” on Sunday, August 16, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Stage 23. Leonard Maltin will host the special presentation which features a 32-piece live orchestra performing the shorts’ scores using the sound techniques that would have been used by Walt Disney’s team in the ’30s.
Additionally, Steve Elkins just produced an official documentary short for Disney marking the history and legacy of the series, which can be viewed right here. It’s a real treat:
