Category: Classical Music in Film

It is no secret that classical music makes a great movie soundtrack! Here we explore famous classical music works and their placement in, and contribution to, film.

Classical Music at the Movies: Aaron Copland, Spike Lee and “He Got Game”

The year is 1998. Filmmaker Spike Lee is ten movies into his career but things have hit a snag.  The writer/director’s last three movies have all been adapted from other people’s material and have done so-so with both audiences and critics. The harsher among them say that Lee–successful, admired, and a long way from earlier… Continue reading Classical Music at the Movies: Aaron Copland, Spike Lee and “He Got Game”

Ferde Grofe: The King of Jazz Won’t Shoot Your Eye Out! Latest Podcast.

In this month’s podcast, we highlight the life and music of American composer Ferde Grofe. Many aren’t aware of the enormous contributions Grofe made to classical music (and jazz!) in this country, but you’ll learn all about it here! His music was featured in one of the most famous scenes in the beloved film, “A Christmas Story.”

Also Sprach Zarathustra: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

In honor of Richard Strauss‘ 150th birthday, we compiled a selection of tributes to one of his most famous works: Also Sprach Zarathustra! We know Also Sprach Zarathustra best from the opening sequence in Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey, but did you know that Strauss’ music was originally intended to serve solely… Continue reading Also Sprach Zarathustra: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Classical Bowl: 2013 Super Bowl (Classical) Ads Wrap-Up

Last year we were blessed with copious amounts of classical music in Super Bowl commercials. It was also our first year live-tweeting classical happenings during The Big Game, so of course we expected a similar amount of classical awesome during this year’s festivities. While the game was incredibly exciting, there was almost no classical music… Continue reading Classical Bowl: 2013 Super Bowl (Classical) Ads Wrap-Up

Classical Music & Cinema: The “2001” Music

Imagine for a moment you’re Alex North. It’s summer 1968 and you’re an acclaimed composer for the movies. You’ve scored great films like A Streetcar Named Desire, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Dr. Strangelove. Your collaborator and friend Stanley Kubrick asked you a few years ago to create a score for his new film 2001:… Continue reading Classical Music & Cinema: The “2001” Music

4.5 Ways to Explore Bach’s Goldberg Variations

For our March event in San Francisco, we held a group viewing of “32 Short Films About Glenn Gould.” The movie is an odd collection of vignettes and is very fitting for such an iconoclastic person. Prior to researching this film and Glenn Gould himself, I’d spent shockingly little time thinking about/listening to Bach’s Goldberg… Continue reading 4.5 Ways to Explore Bach’s Goldberg Variations

2012 Super Bowl Classical Music Wrap-Up

Each year the Super Bowl provides a bounty of entertainment for sports lovers, sports haters, and nerds alike. Particularly intriguing for the geek/nerd crew is a fun-filled “name that tune” extravaganza during the Super Bowl’s rapid-fire commercial sessions, aka the Ad Bowl. Along with some fellow web-based classical music nerds, I took part in this… Continue reading 2012 Super Bowl Classical Music Wrap-Up

Classical Music and Cinema: Mozart and “Trading Places”

Location isn’t usually important in film comedies the way say, Los Angels is vital to dramas like Chinatown or Chicago to action-thrillers like The Fugitive. Comedies trade in laughs and laughs come from people and situations and animals with digestive ailments. Places don’t crack us up. Then why do I never forget that one of… Continue reading Classical Music and Cinema: Mozart and “Trading Places”