FRED FLINTSTONE GOES SYMPHONIC

FRED FLINTSTONE GOES SYMPHONIC

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (Wireless Flash) -- Although Fred Flintstone is usually associated with "rock music," he'll soon be going classical thanks to a California symphony orchestra. The San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra plans on holding the world's first concert dedicated solely to Hanna-Barbera theme songs. The October 2 cartoon music performance will feature a full orchestra playing classical versions of "The Flintstones Theme," "The Jetsons Theme" and the themes to "Josie and the Pussycats," "Magilla Gorilla" and others. Although it may sound like a gimmick, symphony conductor Robert Wendell says many Hanna-Barbera themes are innovative works of art rivaling anything written in the last 40 years. Wendell claims "The Jetsons Theme" was one of the first recordings to feature electronic drums. He also says the "Theme To The Smurfs" may sound trite at first, but it's really an underrated march. If the cartoon concert is a success, Wendell hopes to conduct similar concerts with symphonies in other cities.