© 2024 WVIK
Listen at 90.3 FM and 98.3 FM in the Quad Cities, 95.9 FM in Dubuque, or on the WVIK app!
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

'Talking Art' With Jason Platt And Marc Zyla

Jason Platt’s modernized illustrations of “Symphony Fantastique”";s:3:

Jason Platt

The collaboration between Jason Platt, a local freelance illustrator, and Marc Zyla, Director of Education and Community Outreach for the Quad City Symphony Orchestra (QCSO) resulted in the production of an illustrated video telling the story behind Hector Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique. The video was released in a five-part series, corresponding to the five symphonic movements, just prior to the “Postcards from Paris” performance in October of 2017 by the QCSO.

When Symphonie Fantastique was originally performed in 1830 it was accompanied by program notes, which told the tale of unrequited love paralleling Berlioz’s infatuation with a woman named Harriet Simpson. To modernize the story, Jason Platt’s illustrations feature a young man wearing a beanie and headphones, wandering throughout various familiar Quad City locations.
 

Marc Zyla

Listen here to our conversation about how the video was created, and how the synergy resulting from a collaborative artistic endeavor allows both artists to benefit from access to a larger audience.

Jason Platt is also the creator of a web comic entitled “Mister & Me” and is employed full time as an illustrator who focuses on the art of cartooning.
 
Marc Zyla is passionate about showcasing the QCSO, and through his innovative efforts is helping to expand their listening base to a wider audience. In the process, he is changing the public’s perception of classical musicians. He is also the principal horn player for the QCSO.

Carolyn Martin joined WVIK as a host of Talking Art in 2017. A long-time fan of NPR programming with a love of storytelling and all art forms, she is thrilled to have the opportunity to speak with creative people who beautify our community and make the Quad Cities region an even better place to live.
Marc Zyla joined WVIK, Quad Cities NPR in May 2022 as the Director of Community Engagement. Prior to that Zyla had been the Director of Education and Community Engagement with the Quad City Symphony Orchestra, where he continues to perform as Principal Horn. Zyla believes that there is something for everyone in public radio and brings passion and creativity to his position as Director of Community Engagement.