Igor Stravinsky

Fantasia at 80: Exploring Stravinsky

By Katie Strobel, Walt Disney Archives We’re continuing our Fantasia (1940) composer series by exploring the life and music of Igor Stravinsky. The Rite of Spring (1913), streaming now on Disney+ Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971) Fantasia: 00:39:37-01:05:17 Igor Stravinsky, like Tchaikovsky, started to study law before he realized that music would be his true career path. …

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Fantasia

Fantasia at 80: Exploring Tchaikovsky

By Katie Strobel, Walt Disney Archives We’re continuing our Fantasia (1940) composer series by exploring the life and music of Pyotr Tchaikovsky. Nutcracker Suite (1892), streaming now on Disney+ Pyotr Tchaikovsky (1840–93) Fantasia: 00:13:39-00:28:47 Pyotr Tchaikovsky took piano and music theory lessons starting from a young age, but still decided to study law when he …

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The Aristocats

50 Years Later, Ev’rybody Still Wants to Be a Cat!

By Kelsey Williams, Walt Disney Archives  It’s been 50 years since audiences first picked up on the feline beat when The Aristocats was released on December 24, 1970. Walt Disney Productions’ 20th animated feature took four years to complete and was the second to be based on an original story. The film includes more than …

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Fantasia

Fantasia at 80: Exploring Ponchielli and Dukas

By Katie Strobel, Walt Disney Archives We’re continuing our Fantasia (1940) composer series by exploring the life and music of Amilcare Ponchielli and Paul Dukas. “The Dance of the Hours” (Act III, Scene 2) from La Gioconda (1876), streaming now on Disney+ Amilcare Ponchielli (1834-1886) Fantasia: 01:36:10-01:49:19 The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (1897), streaming now on Disney+ …

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Fantasia

Fantasia at 80: Exploring Mussorgsky

By Katie Strobel, Walt Disney Archives We’re continuing our Fantasia (1940) composer series by exploring the life and music of Modest Mussorgsky. St. John’s Night on the Bare Mountain (1867), streaming now on Disney+ Modest Mussorgsky (1839-1881) Fantasia: 01:49:20-01:59:18 The 19th-century composer, Modest Mussorgsky, was a member of the Russian nationalist school known as “The …

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Pete's Dragon

It’s a Brazzle Dazzle Anniversary: Celebrating Pete’s Dragon!

By Melissa Pankuch, Walt Disney Archives Originally conceived to be an episode of the Disneyland television series, Pete’s Dragon tells the story of a young orphan named Pete and a mischievous dragon, Elliott, which takes place in the quaint town of Passamaquoddy, Maine.  On the anniversary of its general release in 1977, let’s take a …

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Fantasia

Fantasia at 80: Exploring Schubert

By Katie Strobel, Walt Disney Archives We’re continuing our Fantasia (1940) composer series by exploring the life and music of Franz Schubert. Ave Maria (1825), streaming now on Disney+ Franz Schubert (1797-1828) Fantasia: 01:58:22-02:04:15 Franz Schubert may not be a household name like Beethoven, but he too was an important figure in bringing about the …

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Fantasia

Fantasia At 80: Exploring Beethoven

By Katie Strobel, Walt Disney Archives We’re continuing our Fantasia (1940) composer series by exploring the life and music of Ludwig van Beethoven. Symphony No. 6 (“Pastoral”) (1808), streaming now on Disney+ Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) Fantasia: 01:12:14-01:36:09 Ludwig van Beethoven is one of those historical figures who is often used to show the bridging …

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Fantasia at 80: Exploring Bach

Fantasia at 80: Exploring Bach

By Katie Strobel, Walt Disney Archives We’re kicking off our Fantasia (1940) composer series by exploring the life and music of the earliest composer in the group, J.S. Bach. The film is streaming now on Disney+. Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, BWV 565 (between 1703 and 1707) J.S. Bach (1685–1750) Fantasia: 00:02:52-00:13:38 Johann Sebastian …

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