Disney 's Fantasia (1940) lies in a class separate from all other animations of program music. While its initial reception was less than stellar, it has since become a standard film in home collections. Theatrical performances, games, and many other derivatives of the brand now exist. Despite this, it has also generated a fair amount of controversy. For example, it contains scenes that allude to Darwin’s theory of evolution, and others that display negative racial stereotypes. Yet the most controversial scene at the movie’s premiere was the animation of Beethoven 's Sixth, the Pastoral Symphony. This feature upset many classical music lovers who objected to the idea of giving Beethoven’s symphony an explicit storyline and a set of images that he did not have in mind. The Pastoral Symphony is likely the most familiar example of program music, but most musicians and critics seem to agree that this does not give a free pass to any form of interpretation. In the intro to Fantasia, the narrator addresses this by cautioning the listener that the video clips were created based on the musical interpretations of animators, not of trained musicians. From that cautionary message to articles published as recently as this year, Fantasia remains a topic of controversy, influenced by factors such as audience familiarity and general views on Beethoven himself. The reach of this influence is not limited to reviews of the Pastoral Symphony feature, but rather extends to the whole
The purpose of this essay is to analyse music from the film ' Star Wars' and discuss in detail, the function of this music, the elements of music used and how this music embellishes the film. This includes the purpose of the music. It is to represent a character/ action / set a geographical location/ create atmosphere/ to psychologically unite the audience.
I have an entire playlist dedicated to Disney music. Their songs and movies can make anyone smile no matter how bitter you are. Everybody has watched Disney movies back when they were a kid, and have always regarded as happily-ever-after stories. But that was not always the case. What if I told you that in the original Cinderella the stepsisters chopped off parts of their feet to try to get the infamous glass shoe to fit. But how did it get from chopping feet to turning a pumpkin into an extravagant carriage? Was it media? All forms of media have a big effect on the general conception; from the printing press and Thomas Jefferson to televised news and Donald Trump. Or did our ever changing society create this facade of happily-ever-after that is sought after so often? In the article Fairy Tales and a Dose of Reality by Catherine Orenstein she utilizes historical references and allusions to modern media and challenges the perception of fairy tales and expose them as media-manipulated, romanticized stories.
Music plays a critical role in the narrative films as it is important technique that filmmakers use to support the narrative and influence the way that the viewer interacts, responds and interprets the events as they unfold. The godfather, which is one of all time Hollywood movies, represents a good use of music that succeeded in supporting the dramatic events that take place in the movie. Moreover, both diegetic and non-diegetic music in the godfather movie are used to achieve the overall purpose by using the different principles and functions of film music that range from setting the mood of the viewer to providing continuity within the movie. In this essay, we will take part of the godfather movie in which we can observe and analyse the
Today, I am seeing “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella”, starring Brandy and Whitney Houston. I am viewing this in M.O.T Charter High School’s theater classroom. I am seeing this with my fellow theater classmates. Although I have seen this film before , I am very thrilled to hear Whitney Houston and Brandy sing “Impossible/It’s Possible”! The three elements I am discussing in this piece are costuming, set, and singing.
Through studying and analyzing ‘Maestro’ ,written by Peter Goldsworthy, and by viewing and analyzing the film ‘Edward Scissorhands’ directed by Tim Burton, it is evident that the composers of these texts allow the audience to see distinctive experiences with our eyes as well as with our minds through distinctively visual. The many visual, written and literary techniques have the ability to create a significant and impacting visual.
This journal is about the musical piece composed by a man named Benjamin Britten titled The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra. This piece was surprisingly interesting to me as it created different feelings of emotions through the instruments volume, sync, and rhythm. I do like various instrumental styles of music, however, I was hesitant about listening to a classical style orchestra. Throughout the piece it seemed the sounds would constantly change, which reminded me of the early black and white cartoons that relied on classical style music to show the emotions they were trying to make the audience feel. For example, I remember a scene from an episode of the old cartoon Popeye, when there was fast paced instrumental music in the background while Popeye was saving Olive Oyl from a dangerous situation and they both were running to get to safety. The xylophone from Bitten’s composition is what made me think of that exact episode of Popeye and Olive Oly running to get to safety.
A composer depends entirely upon the nature of the film for all the clues needed to write a suitable score for a film. Brought into the production after a certain amount of film has been shot, the films concept will dictate how the composer will write the music. Whether based on the story line, or providing information by setting an atmospheric state, film music will always have different purposes between different films. Penguin Ballet by Nigel Westlake was composed to focuses upon the graceful, almost ballet like movements of the penguins underwater. Whereas, Writings on the wall by Sam Smith conveys ideas and messages which will be expressed throughout the film, especially through the use of lyrics. Although positioned within the film to provide contrasting messages, both these songs use similar musical elements to support the piece, and its position with the film. The discussion of this essay is that there are similarities between the musical elements that support the lyrics in a song and the action in a documentary. Through this, we will discuss the musical element’s of pitch, and timbre and texture.
Stanley Kubrick's 1971 film production of the Anthony Burgess novel, A Clockwork Orange, is a truly unforgettable film. It is narrated by one of the most vicious characters ever put on screen, Alex DeLarge. The promotional poster for the film advertised it as "The adventures of a young man whose principle interests are rape, ultra-violence, and Beethoven" (Dirks 1). Needless to say, music plays a very important role in A Clockwork Orange. The expressive use of music in this film gives the viewer a look into the psyche of the vicious Alex, a psyche that equates violence with art. By doing so, the film shows us the complexity and duality of the human mind through a character who loves both
Composers’ representations of the complex relationship between people and politics are influenced by various moral and social agendas, whereby a portrayal of reality and meaning is inherently subjective.
But Mozart, Beethoven and Chopin are merely the main course in a musical meal including everything from "Piano Man" to "Summertime," set within a dramatic framework that loosely tells the story of both artists’ childhood and teenage struggles to master their musical
Drawing upon literary modes and textual form, both composers construction of diversity is explored through the psychological and emotional impact a landscape has on an individual. This, shaping the audiences’ response to understanding “our” place in the world, such that through representation composers meaningfully engage with the audience and shape their response.
Ludwig van Beethoven once said, “Music, in truth, is the mediator between intellectual and sensual life”. Though he and his music were from an entirely different era, both still have relevance in our lives today. Music from the past is all around us on the radio, in commercials, and on the big screen. For example, one of Beethoven’s most famous symphonies, “Symphony No. 9”, makes an appearance in many movies. It even makes an appearance in Die Hard. Though we like to think that which is old is obsolete, we are everyday reminded that this is not true.
My position on the "See the Music..." talks affixed to certain programs is neutral. Nevertheless, the one at the start of Saturday's matinee "All Robbins No. 4" program proved arduous and vexatious. After relating some amusing personal experiences and providing the audience with a few intriguing facts about Ravel and his music, Andrew Litton eventually began what suddenly loomed as an interminable discussion of the "Piano Concerto in G" which included snippets played by himself on the instrument. Unlike his case, this piece--atypically--was familiar to me long before attending a performance of Robbins' ballet at NYCB, and I consider its second movement among the most hauntingly beautiful music ever created. (The section during which Robbins has the ballerina execute bourrées forwards and backwards is a supreme musical expression of the pathos of human existence.) Analyzing it before a performance is, to put it kindly, superfluous.
There have been many inspiring inventions in music over the years, and our society continues to add to that glory. However, we need to realize that if it wasn’t for the fathers of music, modern day compositions would sound nothing like they do. Our civilization needs to realize that music is not a mere commodity, but a form of art that dates back thousands of years. We need to be aware of this and not take music, it’s beauty, and it’s unique and humble history for
The importance of music in movies is highly regarded for manipulating the viewer’s emotions and helping them immerse into the story. Music is one of the prime elements in cinema. Without it a movie would feel dull and unexciting. There are three elements in a movie: one is acting, the second is picture, and the third one is music. It is a holy trinity; if incomplete, there would be a lack of sensation and excitement. Both acting and picture can stand independently from one another, but music is the one that makes the movie memorable.