Skip to main content

LA Phil launches virtual reality orchestra


There may be but a small crowd of people who stand at the intersection of love for classical music and interest in virtual reality technology, but if you are one of those folks (and you're visiting LA this fall), then I've got some good news for you.

VAN Beethoven is a virtual reality experience using Oculus's 360-degree and 3D technology that allows visitors to experience a private concert with the Los Angeles Philharmonic from a customized truck, which is complete with authentic carpet and seating from the Walt Disney Concert Hall. For no extra charge, viewers can don an Oculus Rift headset and enjoy part of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony in a pretty unique way. The VR experience allows guests not only to see and hear the performance of the orchestra, but also feel the quality of the acoustics within the hall.

"Music is a beautiful symbol of unity, and it is very important to share the joy of music with people from all walks of life and from the many different communities in Los Angeles and beyond," says conductor Gustavo Dudamel. "I have often said music is a fundamental human right, and using this technology helps us to make this mission even stronger."

VAN Beethoven will travel across the greater Los Angeles area from September 11 to October 18. For more info, check out LA Phil's website.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Thai artist paints on mosquito nets

I find them quite intriguing, these ghostly portraits that Uttaporn Nimmalaikaew paints on mosquito nets. His creations look like a hologram, changing form depending on where the viewer stands. Overall, they're gloomy, haunting, and endlessly fascinating. I could stare at them for ages. [h/t: Colossal ]

'Women of the Future,' according to vintage trading cards

Firefighter In 1902, French artist Albert Bergeret printed this set of trading cards depicting women and their futuristic occupations as firefighters, politicians, soldiers, lawyers, and journalists. Titled Women of the Future , these collectibles were released primarily for the boys, that's why many of these outfits fall more on the side of post-Victorian pin-up calendar than professional attire. General Marine Journalist Artist [h/t: Dangerous Minds ]

Experiencing Flight Through an Eagle's Eyes

Have you ever looked up and wondered, "What does it feel like to soar majestically like an eagle?" This video offers a captivating glimpse. Expert bird handler Lloyd Buck attached a small 360-degree camera and a GPS tracker directly to the back of one of these magnificent predatory birds. The entire setup creates a stunning, first-person virtual reality experience—only this one is real and features a creature with an impressively large wingspan. However, this isn't just for cool footage. The real mission is to capture valuable scientific data: examining how quickly an eagle can gain altitude and precisely how its incredible wings are adapted to achieve such breathtaking, effortless lift.