The Philharmonia Orchestra: Dec. 27, James Levine conducting in Orchard Hall -- Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67: Allegro con brio (Ludwig van Beethoven, 1770-1827); "The Pines of Rome" (Ottorino Respighi, 1879-1936); "Rhapsody in Blue" (George Gershwin, 1898-1937), featuring Ralph Grierson; Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2, Op. 102: Allegro (Dmitri Dmitrievich Shostakovich, 1906-75), featuring Yefim Bronfman; "Carnival of the Animals" Finale (Charles-Camille Saint-Saens, 1835-1921), with Yefim Bronfman and Ralph Grierson; "Pomp and Circumstance" Marches Nos. 1-4 (Edward William Elgar, 1857-1934); "Firebird" Suite (Igor Feodorovich Stravinsky, 1882-1971)

Mixed media may sound like a contemporary phrase, but actually it is as old as the "talkies" -- that is to say, as old as 1927. In that year, Al Jolson was featured in "The Jazz Singer," the first production to bring the novelty of sound to motion pictures, and a new era was born.

Also in 1927, 26-year-old Walter Elias Disney was producing short animated cartoons in Los Angeles in a small company with his older brother, Roy. Walt had experimented with a new cartoon character, a cheerful, energetic little mouse with the skills and personality of a human being, and had prepared two shorts. Immediately perceiving the advantages of sound, he abandoned these shorts in favor of "Steamboat Willie," a Mickey Mouse animated cartoon equipped with voices and music. It was a sensation.