When the Animator Becomes a Performer Alongside the Orchestra

French animator and illustrator Grégoire Pont is staging two of his "Cinesthetics" concerts in Shanghai this weekend as part of the Cadillac Shanghai Concert Hall's "Digi Muse" music and technology festival.

The first one on Friday evening was presented by Pont and the Shanghai Opera House Orchestra under the baton of young conductor Jin Yukuang.

"I haven't had many performances that combine with visual elements before, so this is also a completely new experience," said Jin.

"During rehearsals, the musicians and I didn't look at the sheet music; instead, we couldn't help but watch the animation on the big screen," he said. "When the music and the visuals came together in a clever way, we would all exchange knowing smiles."

Unlike traditional pre-made animations set to music, Pont's "Cinesthetics" turns the animation production process itself into part of the stage performance, making the animator "another performer" on stage alongside the musicians.

"I think I have the best job in the world," Pont said in an interview before Friday's concert. "To draw according to the orchestra and the growing of emotion, it's like a magic."

Pont said all the paintings were "prepared, with nothing improvising." But he still makes adjustments based on different partners.

Before joining hands with pianist Steven Osborne to present Debussy's classics on Saturday, Pont asked Osborne to send him a recording of his works so he could understand Osborne's playing tempo.

"There are some passages where he plays relatively fast, and I won't have enough time to draw," explained Pont. "At those times, I will ask him to slow down."

Osborne is also looking forward to his first collaboration with Pont. "Debussy's music is intimate and filled with layers, just like the paintings," he said.

Performance info

Dates: April 18, 7:30pm

Tickets: 80-480 yuan

Venue: Cadillac Shanghai Concert Hall 上海音乐厅

Address: 523 Yan'an Rd E. 延安东路523号