Classical Music Used in Movies: The Best of the Best

From “A Clockwork Orange” to “The Social Network,” these are the best classical pieces used in popular films.

Introduction

Movies and classical music have been linked together since the earliest days of film. Over the years, filmmakers have used classical pieces to provide atmosphere, define character, and drive plots forward. Here are some of the best examples of classical music used in movies.

The Best of the Best

Classical music has been used in movies since the early days of cinema. Some of the most famous and well-loved pieces of classical music have been used in movies, from “Romeo and Juliet” to “The Godfather.” In this article, we’ll explore some of the best uses of classical music in movies.

The Godfather

One of the most influential and timeless American films ever made, The Godfather famously opens with a wedding and closes with a funeral. In between, there is some of the most iconic and memorable scenes in cinema history. One of those scenes is the one in which Marlon Brando’s Don Vito Corleone is shot on the steps of his home. As he collapses into his wife’s arms, the music that plays is the third movement (Adagio sostenuto) of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s “Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18”.

The Shawshank Redemption

The Shawshank Redemption is a 1994 American drama film written and directed by Frank Darabont, based on the 1982 Stephen King novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. It tells the story of banker Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), who is sentenced to life in Shawshank State Penitentiary for the murders of his wife and her lover, despite his claims of innocence. Over the following two decades, he befriends a fellow prisoner, contraband smuggler Ellis “Red” Redding (Morgan Freeman), and becomes instrumental in a money-laundering operation led by the prison warden Samuel Norton (Bob Gunton).

The music in The Shawshank Redemption plays an important role in establishing the film’s tone and helping to set the mood for each scene. Classical pieces are used to great effect throughout, most notably when Andy first arrives at Shawshank and when he makes his dramatic escape at the end of the film. Here are some of the classical pieces used in The Shawshank Redemption:

-Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68 (“Pastoral”)
-Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K. 467
-Bach’s Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring

Forrest Gump

Forrest Gump is a popular 1994 film starring Tom Hanks and directed by Robert Zemeckis. The film tells the story of an intellectually disabled man who witnesses and participates in some of the most important moments of the 20th century.

The movie was a critical and commercial success, winning multiple Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It also became one of the most iconic films of the 1990s.

One of the reasons that Forrest Gump is so memorable is its use of classical music. The film features several well-known pieces of classical music, including “Allegro Maestoso” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, “Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major” by Johann Sebastian Bach, and “Sinfonia” by Antonio Vivaldi.

These pieces of music help to create an elegant and unforgettable atmosphere for the film. They also add an extra layer of emotion to some of the most poignant scenes in the movie.

If you’re a fan of Forrest Gump or just enjoy classical music, we’ve put together a list of some of the best pieces used in the film.

Titanic

The film Titanic is a perfect example of a movie that uses classical music to great effect. The tragic love story of Jack and Rose is set against the backdrop of the sinking of the Titanic, one of the most catastrophic maritime disasters in history.

The film’s soundtrack was composed by James Horner, and features some of the most well-known classical pieces ever written, including “Clair de Lune” by Claude Debussy, “My Heart Will Go On” by Horner himself, and “Nearer My God to Thee” by Lowell Mason.

The use of classical music in Titanic is poignant and moving, and helps to create an unforgettable cinematic experience.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed our list of the best classical pieces used in movies. Film is a great medium for introducing classical music to new audiences, and we hope this list has inspired you to seek out more.

happy listening!