5 Movies Centered Around Classical Music
If you’re a fan of classical music, you’ll love these five movies that feature the genre prominently. From period pieces to modern biopics, these films will take you on a journey through the world of classical music.
Fantasia
Disney’s Fantasia is a classic film that features a number of popular classical music pieces, including “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” and “Night on Bald Mountain.” The movie follows the story of a young sorcerer’s apprentice who must save the day when his spell goes horribly wrong. Fantasia is considered one of the best Disney films of all time and is a must-watch for any fan of classical music.
The Red Violin
The Red Violin is a 1998 Canadian drama film directed by François Girard and starring Samuel L. Jackson, Carlo Cecchi and Sylvia Chang. It spans four centuries and five countries as it tells the story of a mysterious red-colored violin and its many owners. The film was an international co-production among companies in Canada, Italy, and the United Kingdom.
Mr. Holland’s Opus
Mr. Holland’s Opus is a 1995 American drama film directed by Stephen Herek, starring Richard Dreyfuss in the title role of Glenn Holland, a high school music teacher who takes a personal interest in the musical talent of his student, Genevieve Lupica (played by Glenne Headly). The movie was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama.
The Phantom of the Opera
The Phantom of the Opera is a 2004 American musical drama film based on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 1986 musical of the same name, which in turn was based on Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel Le Fantôme de l’Opéra.The film was directed by Joel Schumacher and produced by Lloyd Webber and Ralph Fiennes. It starred Gerard Butler as The Phantom, Emmy Rossum as Christine Daaé, and Patrick Wilson as Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny.
Rossum and Wilson were cast after an arduous search for suitable actors who could sing well enough to perform soundtracks that were entirely sung-through like the stage musical upon which the film was based. Principal photography commenced in December 2003 at Pinewood Studios in England and concluded in March 2004 with shooting taking place in England and Scotland.
Visual effects for those scenes taking place inside the Opéra Populaire were completed at CIS Hollywood. The movie was released in both conventional and IMAX cinemas on December 22, 2004 in North America, where it grossed $154 million. It received mixed reviews from film critics, but they overall praised its visuals and cast performances. The film received three Academy Award nominations at the 77th Academy Awards: Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, and Best Original Song (“Learn to Be Lonely”).
Immortal Beloved
Immortal Beloved is a 1994 film about the life of composer Ludwig van Beethoven, directed by Bernard Rose and starring Gary Oldman as the composer. The screenplay, based on a story by Tony Phelan, is set during the last days of Beethoven’s life and focuses on his complex relationship with his nephew Karl. The film features a score by Philip Glass.
