By Julia Mariah Vargas, Walt Disney Archives Unbeknownst to many, January 20, 2006, would mark the start of something new. In 2021, the Disney Channel Original Movie High School Musical celebrates 15 years of encouraging a generation of kids to freely express themselves, challenging the status quo along the way. This “contemporary ‘break-into-song’ production,” directed …
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By Becky Cline, Director, Walt Disney Archives In the archival world it is very rare to find a single object that can reveal a sweeping story all on its own. Recently, the Walt Disney Archives was honored to receive the donation of just such an asset—a pair of simple work boots that embody the legendary …
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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 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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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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