Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysAPA Heritage MonthSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)

The Switched-on Symphony

Original title: The Switched-On Symphony
  • TV Special
  • 19701970
  • 1h
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • IMDbPro
  • Music
Add a plot in your language
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Marty Pasetta
  • Writer
    • Humphrey Burton
  • Stars
    • Takako Asakawa
    • Jack Benny
    • Ray Charles
  • Director
    • Marty Pasetta
  • Writer
    • Humphrey Burton
  • Stars
    • Takako Asakawa
    • Jack Benny
    • Ray Charles
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1User review
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Primetime Emmy
      • 1 win & 2 nominations total

    Photos

    Add photo

    Top cast

    Edit
    Takako Asakawa
    • Selfas Self
    Jack Benny
    Jack Benny
    • Selfas Self
    Ray Charles
    Ray Charles
    • Selfas Self
    Los Angeles Master Chorale
    • Themselvesas Themselves
    Jacqueline du Pré
    • Selfas Self
    Jerry Goodman
    • Selfas Self
    Jethro Tull
    Jethro Tull
    • Themselvesas Themselves
    Joao Carlos Martins
    • Selfas Self
    Zubin Mehta
    Zubin Mehta
    • Self - Conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestraas Self - Conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra
    The Nice
    • Themselvesas Themselves
    Christopher Parkening
    • Selfas Self
    Robert Powell
    • Selfas Self
    Jaime Rogers
    • Selfas Self
    • (as Jaime Rogers Dancer)
    Santana
    Santana
    • Themselvesas Themselves
    Bobby Sherman
    Bobby Sherman
    • Selfas Self
    Pinchas Zukerman
    • Selfas Self
    • Director
      • Marty Pasetta
    • Writer
      • Humphrey Burton
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

    Storyline

    Edit
    • tv special
    • Add full plot
    • Add synopsis
    • Genre
      • Music
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    User reviews1

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    A truly magical music hour
    This was one of a long series of programs known as The Bell Telephone Hour. They were always well done, educational, and entertaining. Sadly programming of this sort no longer exists, and we are all poorer for it.

    I watched this program when it aired on March 14th, 1970. Having been raised in a family involved in classical music, as well as being a teenager and fan of all things Rock And Roll, the idea of combining the two seemed a bit outrageous. Watching the show, however, was a kick in my music appreciation.

    The 60 minute production mixed artists like Jethro Tull, The Nice, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Ray Charles, Christopher Parkening, And Santana. The juxtaposition of the sometimes harshness of rock music with the melodic classical tunes was fascinating.

    It won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement In Tape Sound Mixing, and was nominated for Outstanding Comedy-Variety Or Music Program, as well as for Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Direction.

    The program was taped over a 3 day period (February 13 to 15th, 1970) in NBC's Studio 2 in Burbank, California. Zubin Mehta, then Conductor of the L.A. Philharmonic, was the host, and his well conducted journey showed how both forms of music could be woven together to form something new and different. At one point the Philharmonic was playing a well known classical piece only to have an abrupt change to The Nice playing the SAME music, but with their distinctly rock flavor. The transition was nearly seamless, and the effect was electrifying.

    Ray Charles performed a version of The Beatles "Yesterday" that still sends shivers down my spine just from the memory.

    Sadly, memories are all we have of this program. I understand that licensing issues for the music of all the groups involved have never been resolved, something that would be necessary if this were ever to be made available for sale.

    Also sadly, the audio tape I had of the program has long since been lost. If this program is ever finally released for new generations to appreciate I highly recommend it for purchase. Barring that, those who have never seen it can only imagine what it was like, and those of us who saw it can only rely on our memories.
    helpful•3
    0
    • dave-847
    • Mar 29, 2017

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 14, 1970 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • NBC Studios - 3000 W. Alameda Avenue, Burbank, California, USA
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Top Gap
    By what name was The Switched-On Symphony (1970) officially released in Canada in English?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    The Best Movies and Shows to Watch in May
    See the full list
    View list
    List
    2022 TV Guide: The Best Shows Coming This Year
    See the full list

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads

    © 1990-2022 by IMDb.com, Inc.