Levine, James, conductor. Fantasia 2000. Walt Disney Home Video, 2000. Rated G. 74 minutes. ISBN 0-7888-2117-2
Description
A gorgeous production of Disney animation and film making is built around eight classical music selections. Music is paired with images that may or may not tie to the literal musical themes. Beethoven's Symphony #5 is the accompaniment to a visual contest between light and dark, good and evil. Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue is used in the telling of a story about Depression-era New York. Here the allusions to New York and a "blue" period in history are clear. The piece by Saint-Saens shows what happens when a flamingo plays with a yo-yo. It's hilarious. Also included is The Sorcerer's Apprentice which is as much fun to watch now as it was years ago when it first appeared in the original Fantasia movie. Celebrities like Steve Martin, Bette Midler, and Penn and Teller introduce each segment.
Critical Evaluation
I love this movie. I showed it to a group of fourth grade students. They were so thoroughly engaged that when it was over they were shocked. They wanted to it to go on and on. They really got into the last piece, Stravinsky's Firebird Suite. They were cheering and jumping out of their seats as the dramatic ending unfolded.
Annotations
Fantasia is Walt Disney's vision for music and animation. It shows us how music can tell a story, any story.
Composers
Beethoven -- Symphony #5
Respighi -- Pines of Rome
Gershwin -- Rhapsody in Blue
Shostakovich -- Piano Concerto # 2, Allegro, Opus 102
Saint-Saens -- Carnival of the Animals, Finale
Dukas -- The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Elgar -- Pomp and Circumstance
Stravinsky -- Firebird Suite
Genre
Fiction – classical music and animation
Curriculum Ties
Visual arts – animation
Performing arts – music appreciation
Booktalk Ideas
Not applicable.
Viewing Level/Interest Age
Grade 3 (age 8) and up.
Challenge Issues and Defense
None.
Why is it here?
The movie makes magic with animation and introduces kids to fabulously famous classical music.
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