"Welcome to a silent future, where the evil
     dictator Thadius Bent has banned music forever!"
 

    In the future music is banned. A cruel dictator called Thadius Vent is determined
    to silence all symphonies, harmonies, lullabies and melodies. But the muted
    instruments are fighting back via the tenacious leadership of a flying grand piano
    called Oscar and his walking, talking orchestra of friends...

    Oscar was actually discovered in Mr Crotchet's Curiosity Shop by Mr Crotchet's
    wiley daughter Rebecca. Amongst the recruitments to Oscar's Resistance
    Movement are Trevor the Tuba, Eric the Triangle, Sylvia the Flute and Monty
    the violin. They combine their musical talents to fight back againt Thadius
    and his henchmen Lucius and Tank...

        

    Based on an idea by Jan Younghusband, Oscar's Orchestra was designed to
    inspire children with the delights of classical music and incorporates famous
    orchestrated works from the great composers in each episode. Episode titles
    continue the theme. Hence we have the likes of "Oscar Cracks a Nut" and
    "Bach to the Future". As animation director Tony Collingwood suggests
    in his Q&A here at Toonhound, banning something is often the best way to
    make it 'trendy'. Maybe banning classical music would make it hip for kids...?

    "Oscar's Orchestra" has an adult attraction too, in the form of the late great
    Dudley Moore. Dudley, of course, is latterly famous for his classical skills
    with the Grand Piano and is perfectly cast as the voice of Oscar...

    » Oscar's "Wanted" poster features in the opening titles. Apparently
        there's a $100,000 reward on offer...