How Movies Have Centered Around Classical Music
Contents
How Movies Have Centered Around Classical Music
The Nutcracker- The first movie to use Tchaikovsky’s ballet
The first movie to use Tchaikovsky’s ballet was “The Nutcracker” in 1934. It was a holiday story about a little girl who dreams of a Toyland full of life-size nutcrackers that come to life. The ballet became world famous because of the movie and is still performed every holiday season.
Fantasia- The first movie to use classical music as the main focus
In 1940, Walt Disney released Fantasia, an animated movie set to classical music. It was the first feature-length film of its kind, and it was a huge success. The movie features some of the most popular pieces of classical music ever composed, including Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5. The visuals are just as iconic as the music, and the movie is still beloved by fans today.
Fantasia was so successful that it spawned a sequel, Fantasia 2000, which was released in 1999. This movie featured updated versions of some of the original pieces, as well as new ones like Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Fantasia 2000 was also a critical and commercial success, cementing the place of classical music in movies.
Since Fantasia, many movies have used classical music to great effect. Some notable examples include A Clockwork Orange, 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Godfather, and The Silence of the Lambs. In each of these films, the music enhances the mood and helps to create an unforgettable experience for viewers.
Classical music has been used in movies for centuries now, and it shows no signs of slowing down. It is a timeless art form that can be used to enhance any film.
A Clockwork Orange- Uses Beethoven’s 9th Symphony
One of the most well known examples of classical music in film is from A Clockwork Orange. In the film, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony is used during a very violent scene where the main character and his friends are beating up an old man. The use of such a beautiful and peaceful piece of music in such a violent scene is shocking and creates a very powerful effect.
Other films that have prominently featured classical music include 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Untouchables, Amadeus, and The Pianist. In each of these films, the music is used to create a specific mood or emotional effect. For example, in The Pianist, the use of Chopin’s Nocturne in C-sharp minor helps to convey the feeling of despair and hopelessness that the main character is experiencing.
Classical music can be a very effective tool for filmmakers to use in order to create a desired mood or emotional effect. When used correctly, it can greatly enhance the viewing experience for audiences.
The Godfather- Uses Nino Rota’s “Speak Softly Love”
When The Godfather came out in 1972, it wowed audiences with its uncompromising portrayal of the Mafia. The film’s mix of violence, family drama, and political intrigue was unlike anything anyone had seen before. But as groundbreaking as it was, The Godfather would not have been the same without its beautiful soundtrack.
The main theme of the film is Nino Rota’s “Speak Softly Love.” Originally written for the 1958 film adaptation of Guys and Dolls, “Speak Softly Love” fits The Godfather perfectly. Rota’s melody is both romantic and melancholy, hinting at the tragedy that lies at the heart of the Corleone family.
The Godfather is just one of many great films that have used classical music to great effect. From 2001: A Space Odyssey to A Clockwork Orange, cinema has long had a symbiotic relationship with classical music. This is perhaps unsurprising, as both forms of art deal with similar themes such as love, loss, and redemption.
Classical music can add an extra level of emotion to a film that would be difficult to achieve with any other genre. So next time you watch a movie, pay attention to the soundtrack and see how classical music can enhance your experience.
The Social Network- Uses Bach’s “Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major”
“The Social Network” is a 2010 American drama film directed by David Fincher and written by Aaron Sorkin. Adapted from Ben Mezrich’s 2009 book “The Accidental Billionaires”, it portrays the founding of social networking website Facebook and the resulting lawsuits. It stars Jesse Eisenberg as founder Mark Zuckerberg, alongside Andrew Garfield as Eduardo Saverin, Justin Timberlake as Napster co-founder Sean Parker, and Armie Hammer as twins Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss.
The film’s score was composed by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. The soundtrack was released through Null Corporation on September 28, 2010. The song “Hand Covers Bruise”, used in the trailer, is not included in the soundtrack album but is available as a free download from Null Corporation.
The score makes significant use of the music of Dmitri Shostakovich- particularly his String Quartet No. 8 in C minor, composed in 1960. This quartet was written during a time of great turmoil for Shostakovich- he had just been denounced for formalism by the Soviet government, and many believe that this quartet (as well as his Eleventh Symphony) was written as a form of subversion against the state. The slow second movement of this quartet is used several times throughout the film, first during Mark’s Facemash prank, then during the deposition scenes, and finally during the epilogue.”Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major” by Bach is also used prominently throughout the film- most notably during the scene where Mark meets Eduardo for the first time to tell him about his idea for Facebook.
