Colorado Springs Philharmonic music director Josep Caballé-Domenech was still feeling the impact of his recent performance of the Brahms “Symphony No. 1” when he reflected on what he and the orchestra have accomplished in their four years together.

“That’s, for me, a culmination of the process,” he said. “Three years ago, that symphony wouldn’t sound like that. That’s because of the work we’ve done these years, the challenges that we did, the things we did with the musicians. We are doing a very nice job and things are working. You feel that not only in the orchestra but in the streets. And of course you feel that in the audience. Obviously, I feel more in the community …”

Caballé-Domenech’s five-year contract concludes after next season. Nathan Newbrough, the philharmonic’s president and CEO, is hoping the Spanish conductor will be with the orchestra for many more seasons to come.

“An extended contract is under discussion, but we’re not rushing it,” said Newbrough. “I’m confident that we’ll have some news to report soon. Meanwhile, he’s sketching artistic plans for the next few years, including some very exciting plans for our upcoming 90th anniversary celebration.”

First things first. Caballé-Domenech and his orchestra have two engaging programs remaining in the season. This weekend, they’ll re-create the most beloved unions of classical music and animation ever realized: Walt Disney’s “Fantasia” from 1940 and the lesser known “Fantasia 2000” from 1999.

Even though one of Caballé-Domenech’s earliest memories is seeing the 1940 original, it was not the cause of his love of music. “My parents were both musicians,” he said. “I had no chance.

“It (the film) shocked me. It still reminds me- every time I conduct Dukas (composer of “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice”). I still see Mickey Mouse moving his hands with the blue hat and the brooms that dance and everything. … I’m sure everyone, even if they are not musicians, remember this film.”

The philharmonic will perform selections from both films while the cartoons are projected above them in high definition.

Ironically, the following weekend’s season finale will feature two works that were part of the 1940 original but not included in these “Fantasia” performances: Leopold Stokowski’s orchestral transcription of Bach’s “Toccata and Fugue in D minor” and Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring.” The program also includes concertmaster Michael Hanson’s performance of Bach’s “2nd Violin Concerto.”

Caballé-Domenech readily admits that Stravinsky’s revolutionary work from 1913 is the crux of the concert. He had it in mind in 2011 when he first took the reins of the philharmonic.

“I thought finishing the fourth year with something a little bit more contemporary with more risk for the orchestra was a good challenge,” he recalled.

The piece is also challenging for listeners. But Caballé-Domenech feels that the brutal rhythms, dissonant harmonies and explosive dynamics of “The Rite of Spring” are not the issue.

“I don’t see a difference with this piece and any other one of the season. Music is notes that express something. That’s my job and the orchestra’s job to see what we are expressing and just passing that to the audience.

SAN SEBASTIAN.14 ENE 15//. Entrevista al director de orquesta Josep Caballé Domenech en el auditorio Kursaal de San Sebastián (Gipuzkoa). EFE/GORKA ESTRADA. GE-1010213

GORKA ESTRADA