YourClassical

Morning Glories: Fantasia in 2014

Composer Inon Zur
Inon Zur, composer for Fantasia: Music Evolved
Fitz Carlile

Every weekday at 10 a.m., the hosts at Classical MPR play a standout work based on the theme for the week. We call these works Morning Glories.

First, there was Disney's 1940 film, Fantasia, which would become a classic of animation — and a first introduction to classical music for many. That was followed by a second film, Fantasia 2000. And just last week, Disney released the latest chapter in this continuing story. It's called Fantasia: Music Evolved, and it's not a conventional movie, but an interactive video game.

On Morning Glories, we'll pay tribute to the Fantasia series, which at 70-plus years, is a multi-media phenomenon that's still going strong. (By the way: if you remember Fantasia for spooky pieces like "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" or "Night on Bald Mountain" — check out Creepy Classics and cast a vote for your favorite.)

Monday

Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 ("Pastoral")
In the 1940s, Disney combined the "Pastoral" Symphony with images from Greek mythology: fauns, centaurs, and Zeus hurling his thunderbolts.

Tuesday

Respighi: Pines of Rome
In Fantasia 2000, Respighi's music accompanies the adventures of a family of humpback whales.

Wednesday

Shostakovich: Piano Concerto No. 2
Here's another Fantasia 2000 segment, this time pairing Shostakovich with a tale by Hans Christian Andersen.

Thursday

Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
Mozart's serenade appears in the new video game — maybe a first exposure to classical music for a generation of young gamers?

Friday

Fantasia: Music Evolved — Themes
We'll hear a medley of original themes from the brand-new game — some of them by composers who have already appeared on Top Score, our series devoted to video game music.

Love the music?

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