By Manjari Thakur
The British singer-songwriter Cat Stevens once said, “Music is a magic carpet that carries you to a place where your soul wants to go.” And quite literally, music and magic have been interwoven into our mundane existence through various pieces of music. Here are five pieces of classical music inspired by magic.
1. Hedwig’s Theme (2001)
Heading our list of classical music inspired by magic: composed by John Williams in 2001, this masterpiece is certainly well-known among Harry Potter enthusiasts. It is played on a musical instrument called a celeste, and involves full-blown orchestra, capturing the whimsy, magic, and mystery of the wizarding world. First used in the movie Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, it has been revamped many times over the years, though Williams’s version remains a classic.
2. The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (1897)
Paul Dukas almost destroyed this piece because he was very critical of his own work. Nevertheless, this piece is inspired by Wolfgang Von Goethe’s ballad, Der Zauberlehrling (The Sorcerer’s Apprentice), written in 1797. In 1940, it was popularised by Disney’s Fantasia, an animated adaptation of Mickey Mouse, where he plays the young apprentice. A story about magic gone wrong, this composition has five sections: the magical opening, the broom awakening, the spell spilling out of control, flood and desperation and finally, the sorcerer’s return, which puts an end to the conundrum. The famous bassoon melody is one of the highlights of this classical piece about power, control and magic.
3. Misty Mountains Cold, The Hobbit (2011-2014)
This dwarven theme song by Howard Shore is loved by one and all. It captures the magic of Tolkien’s writing and brings life to Middle-earth. Inspired by Nordic and Gregorian folk music, it features a grand orchestration and choral elements. Performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, it was recorded in Abbey Road Studios in London, with lyrics taken directly from Tolkien’s novel The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. His love for Norse poetry and Anglo-Saxon ballads reverberates throughout the song, which exudes a sense of nostalgia, the magic of the dwarves and elves, and the heroism of these mystical creatures. The acapella version is also worth listening to, sung in low, solemn harmonies.
4. Danse Macabre (1874)
French for Dance of Death, Danse Macabre by Camille Saint-Saens is spooky but playful symphonic poem portraying the dance and revelry of the living and the dead, with skeletons rising from their grave from midnight till dawn. In popular culture, this track has become one of the most famous Halloween and supernatural-themed pieces, having been featured in Tim Burton movies, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Goosebumps. It involves a full orchestra: solo violin, xylophone, strings, winds and harp – the latter a metaphor for the midnight clock, and the violin representing Death’s Fiddle. The xylophone represents the clattering of the skeletons, and the piece leads up to a frenzied waltz at the climax before the soft break of dawn.
- Watch: Interview about The Nutcracker and I | pianist Alexandra Dariescu discusses digitising Tchaikovsky
5. The Butterfly Lovers (1959)
Concluding our list of classical music inspired by magic: this violin concerto, composed by Chen Gang and He Zhanhao, combines Chinese folk music with Western classical music. Last on our list of classical music inspired by magic, this tragic love story entwines two lovers even after their death, transforming them into butterflies. A symbol of Chinese Culture and everlasting love, it evokes the magic of life, love, and death. The result is a powerful cocktail – an example of magic realism – that has proven a source of inspiration to Pop musicians like Jay Chou and Faye Wong. It has also been made into a film and a ballet.