ARTS | When classical music meets animated movies

Hong Kong pianist Colleen Lee

Magic Piano & the Chopin Shorts will be taking children on a journey through classical music this weekend. The Macau Cultural Center (CCM) is presenting a project combining the works of Chopin with award-winning animation films.
“Magic Piano & the Chopin Shorts introduces younger audiences to classical music,” said CCM in a statement. The project premiered in London in 2011 and has since been touring around the world.
“What if we replace a recorded soundtrack with an amazing piano sound played live to the adventures of a set of colorful and exciting animations?” –
the creators suggest.
The Magic Piano project is set to amaze children through famous animated films, screened to the notes of renowned composer Frédéric François Chopin.
“Magic Piano is a colorful animation shortlisted for an Academy Award, telling the adventures of a 10-year-old girl, her cousin and a truly amazing piano,” said CCM.
Produced by Break Thru Films, the same company behind Oscar-winning animation “Peter & the Wolf,” this tale was written to introduce children to Chopin’s masterpieces. Chopin is considered one of Poland’s greatest composers.
The program is complemented by The Chopin Shorts, a collection of animation films directed by award winning animators.
This time, films will also be screened to the music of young Hong Kong pianist Colleen Lee, winner of the 6th prize at the International Frédéric Chopin Piano Competition.
The show will include short features like “Papa’s Boy”, a film telling the story of a little mouse who wishes to become a ballet dancer against his father’s will. “Hamster Heaven” is also on the list, recounting the adventures of a male hamster and his girlfriend; while “Little Postman” will tell the tale of a young boy who must deliver letters all around the war-torn city of Warsaw, in Poland.
Magic Piano & The Chopin Shorts will be presented on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday at 3:00 p.m.