Image Image Image Image Image Image Image Image Image Image

Oculus VR News | April 24, 2024

Scroll to top

Top

The LA Philharmonic uses Oculus Rift to Bring the Symphony to Everyone

The LA Philharmonic is using Oculus Rift to Bring the Symphony to Everyone

Image courtesy of: L.A. Philharmonic

FRΛNK R.

Have you ever experienced what it’s like to be at the center of a world-class symphony orchestra playing one of the most famous and recognizable pieces of classical music history? If not, now you can.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra is looking to spread the joy of music in a truly immersive, and unique way with the use of the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset. As part of its upcoming ‘Immortal Beethoven’ festival in October, the LA Philharmonic created the VAN Beethoven experience, a mobile tour that features a first-of-its-kind VR performance that will allow viewers to experience the symphony like never before.

The VAN Beethoven experience was filmed in the Walt Disney Concert Hall, with 360-degree 3D cameras among and around the orchestra, capturing a breathtaking virtual reality performance of perhaps one of the most famous pieces of classical music, Beethoven’s 5th Symphony, played by one of the greatest orchestras in the world.

“VAN Beethoven underscores the LA Phil’s dedication to expanding opportunities for access to the widest audience possible,” President and CEO Deborah Borda said in a statement. “Thanks to the remarkable Oculus virtual reality technology, we can introduce the magnificence of an orchestral performance throughout communities in Los Angeles as never before.”

VAN Beethoven will begin touring throughout the greater Los Angeles area starting September 11th to October 18th. See below for a full list of dates:

  • Sept 11 (10am-3pm) – Walt Disney Concert Hall
  • Sept 11 (6pm-10pm) – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles
  • Sept 12 (10am-12am) – LA County Fair (Crafters Village)
  • Sept 13 (10am-7pm) – Museum Mile near LACMA (Wilshire Blvd. between Spaulding & Curson)
  • Sept 15 (10am-4pm) – Walt Disney Concert Hall
  • Sept 16 (5pm-9:30pm) – Hollywood Bowl
  • Sept 17 (11am-2pm) – Grand Park (Block 4 Marketplace)
  • Sept 18 – Park(ing) Day (in front of Pantages Theater)
  • Sept 18 (6pm-10pm) – Levitt Pavilion Pasadena
  • Sept 19 (4pm-8pm) – Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles
  • Sept 20 (10am-6pm) – Walt Disney Concert Hall
  • Sept 22 (Day) – Walt Disney Concert Hall
  • Sept 23 (Day) – Walt Disney Concert Hall
  • Sept 24 (Day) – Walt Disney Concert Hall
  • Sept 26 (Day) – Walt Disney Concert Hall
  • Sept 26 (5pm-8:30pm) – Street Food Cinema Exposition Park
  • Sept 26 (10am-4pm) – Walt Disney Concert Hall
  • Oct 1 (Eve) – LA Korean Festival / Seoul International Park
  • Oct 2 (Eve) – LA Korean Festival / Seoul International Park
  • Oct 3 (Eve) – Brewery Art Walk
  • Oct 4 (Eve) – Brewery Art Walk
  • Oct 8 (Eve) – Downtown Artwalk
  • Oct 9 (Day) – Walt Disney Concert Hall
  • Oct 10 (Eve) – Street Food Cinema Exposition Park
  • Oct 15 (Day) – Grand Park
  • Oct 16 (Day) – Walt Disney Concert Hall
  • Oct 16 (Eve) – The Oddmarket @ the Autry
  • Oct 18 (Day) – CicLAvia

If you’re unable to be in LA for the VAN Beethoven experience, don’t worry. You will be able to experience it from the comfort of your own home via a free  app called Orchestra VR available for download in the Oculus and Samsung Gear VR app stores later this week.