Permit me an indulgence by allowing me to revisit how monolithic Disney has been with animation and intertwining it with music.

Since the 1930s, Disney movies have featured some of the most instantly recognisable soundtracks featuring compelling music linked to unforgettable characters, mesmerising scenes and vignettes. Iconic Disney music has fascinated children and adults alike for generations. The creative force of Disney, from inception to the present day, has utilised award-winning composers such as Leigh Harline, Elton John and Lin-Manuel Miranda to create musical hits that have filled movie theatres around the world and even found their way on to the Broadway stage.

There are three distinct eras in the evolutionary legacy of Disney’s music and the Bermuda Philharmonic’s concert Disney: Then & Now aligned wonderfully with the catalogue of music that Disney has produced over the decades — from the classic anthems of yesteryear to the pop hits of today.

Asked her thoughts on Disney: Then & Now, the Bermuda Philharmonic’s conductor and music director, Kate Kayaian (pronounced Kay-eye-en), said: “Growing up, Disney movies weren’t a big part of my childhood, so I don’t have a deep-rooted connection to the Disney songs. It’s been really fun for me to get to know them and I’ve been loving it — the music is so great.”

She added: “Listening to it as an orchestra, without a singer on stage singing the words, you get to hear yourself singing it. I’m sure people will sing along at various points and that’s fine. I’m sure there’ll be lots of pirates and princesses dancing in the aisles and out on the lawn. So, it’s great fun hearing the music in a new environment with a new art form. It’s gonna be fun for everybody.”

Kayaian shared that an indirect goal of this concert is to introduce young children to the various instruments in an orchestra and to its sound. She also emphasised the Bermuda Philharmonic’s desire to create a wonderful audience experience, to create joy and foster a sense of community. And that’s really where Disney: Then & Now at the Victualling Yard in Dockyard truly begins.

As I entered the venue, I could not think of a better location for this summer concert. There was a palpable and charged sense of expectation — that something wonderful was about to commence, and this was evident when Kayaian walked onto the stage and greeted the orchestra’s musicians. Baton in hand and arms outstretched, the conductor paused to unify the orchestra’s attention and, with a signalling motion from her, the music began.

The performance by the philharmonic was a fabric of sound that effectively utilised the dynamics of the instruments and the arrangements. Beauty and the Beast opened the concert. By the time the orchestra arrived at the Little Mermaid and Aladdin songs, the playing was articulated and crisp. The passages possessed a subtle nuanced softness and strident crescendo, which were rich and vibrant. The percussive accents were effective and noticeable, with Kayaian acknowledging the contribution from the percussionists at this point in the programme.

Kayaian was charming and charismatic as she engaged the audience throughout the performance. She shared Disney anecdotes, background stories and context for the music with wit and humour.

“By the right! Quick, march!”

Captain Sheldon Fox and the Royal Bermuda Regiment Junior Band positioned themselves in front of the stage to begin the second half of the concert. Ably accompanied by the Bermuda Philharmonic as they played, they conveyed the adventurous and heroic fun of the Raiders’ March and the rhythmic melody of Moana’s How Far I’ll Go. In true Bermudian vernacular, the RBR Junior Band was “sharp”.

With the last four songs, it felt like the philharmonic stepped on the proverbial musical gas. These songs were fully realised across the orchestra — harmonically integrated, emotionally vibrant with energetic execution. The audience responded accordingly — anytime there was a pause in the music, there was enthusiastic applause.

I was expecting to hear Disney’s most iconic song – Pinocchio’s When You Wish Upon a Star, which was not included in the programme. Perhaps this is a request for the next Disney concert.

Personal preference aside, the Bermuda Philharmonic’s performance of Disney: Then & Now left no stone unturned. There was effortless balance between technical execution and clarity of expression that enhanced the dynamics in the musical arrangements played by the orchestra. These songs resonated nostalgically, emotionally and engaged the audience at every level. There was a cohesive transcendent quality to this performance.

When the final notes of Pirates of the Caribbean and the encore were played, the 1,000-strong audience erupted into thunderous applause and its standing ovation was capped with the boisterous roar of approval. This was the Bermuda Philharmonic’s Disney: Now & Then. It was magical. This was Bermuda at its finest!