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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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By Holly Brobst, Walt Disney Archives This December we celebrate the 55th anniversary of the release of one of my favorite Disney films, That Darn Cat! A 1965 “cops and robber” comedy from Walt Disney Productions, the film was produced by the inimitable trio of Walt Disney, Bill Walsh, and Ron Miller. Studio stalwart Robert …
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By Francesca Scrimgeour, Walt Disney Archives Infinite Mystery! Unearthly Beauty! Fathomless Oceans! Claimed as “the mightiest motion picture of them all,” 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954) is one of the most ambitious films ever created at The Walt Disney Studios. Both challenging to produce and legendary in its creative legacy, the movie is replete …
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