Today sees the release of The Orchestra app on the Apple App Store – a ground-breaking new application that offers users unprecedented access to explore, discover and enjoy orchestral music and instruments.
Designed for iPad 2, 3, 4 and iPad Mini, the app features high quality video performances of eight classic orchestral pieces in a truly innovative new format.
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Created by Touch Press and the Music Sales Group, in collaboration with leading conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Philharmonia Orchestra, each performance can be viewed and listened to from a number of different perspective: from the point of view of the conductor or following individual players or instrumental sections.
Click here to visit The Orchestra app’s page on the Apple App Store!
With an intuitive and responsive layout and design, the app is easy to navigate and interact with. You can even follow the score of the pieces being played in real time, again from a number of fully synchronised views and options.
Choose from the full orchestral score, a short score curated by Es-Pekka Salonen or a visual score. Orchestral NoteMap technology highlights the individual sections as they play.
The eight interactive performances include the following pieces:
Haydn: Symphony No 6
Beethoven: Symphony No 5
Berlioz: Symphony Fantastique
Debussy: Prélude à l’après midi d’un faune
Mahler: Symphony No 6
Stravinsky: The Firebird
Lutoslawski: Concerto for Orchestra
Salonen: Violin Concerto, soloist Leila Josefowicz
Performances are synchronised with three different score-view options: full score; short score curated by Esa-Pekka Salonen; visual score. In addition Touch Press’ Orchestral NoteMap technology is able to highlight the active instrumental sections as they play.
Users of all levels can watch and listen to the Philharmonia musicians demonstrate their instruments and explain their unique role within the orchestra.
There are also additional audio and subtitle commentaries for each piece from Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Philharmonia musicians, as well as films of Salonen talking about the featured pieces and the experience of conducting them. The app’s specially commissioned texts offer historical insights and a musical background on each of the orchestral pieces and orchestral instruments.
The Orchestra app is available now for iPad for £9.99.
Visit the App Store to find out more or to download and start your immersive orchestral experience today!
Read what other sites are saying about The Orchestra app, below!
REVIEW: The Telegraph – 5/5 – “With The Orchestra, Touch Press has made what might be its first app that could not exist in any other form … This app will nurture and expand anyone’s interest in orchestral music. Classical music fans and even those with a passing interest in the genre should download this immediately but I recommend it to everyone.”
REVIEW: The Guardian – “the Philharmonia Orchestra’s impressive new app blends music, video and interactive instrument guide into an instant classic.”
REVIEW: Digital Spy UK– “The Orchestra for iPad will strike all the right notes as far as classical music enthusiasts are concerned … brings a concert experience to your tablet.”
VIDEO REVIEW: AOL On Tech
REVIEW: Digital Trends – “The iPad is designed to be an all around performance product, but one probably wouldn’t expect it to perform as a full-blown orchestra. With The Orchestra, that’s exactly what it will do.”
REVIEW: Sinfini Music – 4 stars – “For a high-tech, grown-up, fully immersive beginner’s guide to the orchestra, it would be hard to improve on this app for iPad.”
REVIEW: MusicTech.net – “The Orchestra is a must-have app – at the very top of my list. I am simply blown away by the content and the resources provided for music educators to make the orchestra come alive for their students.”
REVIEW: App Advice
REVIEW: Cyprus Today – 5 stars
The Telegrpah: “The iPad app that puts a symphony at your fingertips”
A blog from the app’s creative director at Touch Press
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