# Best use of classical music on a movie soundtrack **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 6, 2018, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-use-of-classical-music-on-a-movie-soundtrack/815535 "2018-06-06T13:27:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-use-of-classical-music-on-a-movie-soundtrack/815535/21 "2018-06-06T17:08:10Z")
> [@Terminus\_Est](#): > > Yes, it’s Ligeti’s _Requiem_, 1965. > > Are you saying that, say, 21st century music cannot be classical? Here’s an excerpt from Anna Clyne’s _Night Ferry_, composed 2011: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNf0qloRcls](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNf0qloRcls) > What kind of music would you characterize it as? To quote myself (post #10): punt, to another thread. But I’m fuzzy on where to draw the line on \*20th \*century music. 21st century is a no-brainer – it’s out. (My thread, my rules. 🙂 ) ---
**Author:** ![CelticKnot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/celticknot/32/3392_2.png) [@CelticKnot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CelticKnot)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-use-of-classical-music-on-a-movie-soundtrack/815535/22 "2018-06-06T17:22:24Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > Would both “Fantasia” movies be disqualified? If not, Stravinsky’s, “Firebird,” segment is mine. > > Slight sidetrack: Back in the '80s (and probably '90s, too), it seemed every other movie trailer was using Holst’s, “Mars,” playing over the 1750 2-millisecond clips of movie that made up the ad. But I can’t recall it ever being used in the movie itself. > > The OP already nabbed, “Excalibur.” “Carmina Burana,” was used to great effect, as well. “Carmina Burana” was the first tune to pop into my head. For which I am forever grateful because it removed the horrible earworm I had for no reason today. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-use-of-classical-music-on-a-movie-soundtrack/815535/23 "2018-06-06T18:32:16Z")
Kubrick was a master as using classical music. There’s also “The William Tell Overture” from _A Clockwork Orange_ ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-use-of-classical-music-on-a-movie-soundtrack/815535/24 "2018-06-06T19:10:31Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Kubrick was a master as using classical music. There’s also “The William Tell Overture” from _A Clockwork Orange_ I know you are talking about the “Lone Ranger” part of the overture, but he also used the first movement, as part of the scene where Alex is looking at the dreary river after being kicked out of prison and home. That was a very effective use of that haunting tune. The use of the 9th symphony throughout the film was very well done. Indeed, it was from watching this film as a teenager that I first was introduced to many of these classical pieces. I bought the soundtrack and then started listening to various other recordings of Rossini and Beethoven. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-use-of-classical-music-on-a-movie-soundtrack/815535/25 "2018-06-06T19:21:43Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > But I’m fuzzy on where to draw the line on \*20th \*century music. The use of _4’33"_ during the heist scene in _Rififi_ was inspired. ---
**Author:** ![furryman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/furryman/32/99_2.png) [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-use-of-classical-music-on-a-movie-soundtrack/815535/26 "2018-06-06T19:26:40Z")
\*Beethoven’s 6th Symphony \* from _Solyent Green_ \*Beethoven’s 9th Symphony \* from _Help_ _The William Tell Overture_ from _The Lone Ranger_ _The Merry Widow Waltz_ from _The Merry Widow_ (I don’t remember which version) ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-use-of-classical-music-on-a-movie-soundtrack/815535/27 "2018-06-06T19:29:20Z")
> [@Terminus\_Est](#): > > Yes, it’s Ligeti’s _Requiem_, 1965. Requiem was used for the monolith, and thus for the very beginning of the Stargate sequence. _Atmospheres_, also by Ligeti, was used for the rest. The laughter and odd sounds during the hotel room scene came from _Adventures_ by Ligeti, uncredited in the movie. I think Ligeti sued, because only excerpts were used. The original soundtrack didn’t include it, the soundtrack on CD does. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-use-of-classical-music-on-a-movie-soundtrack/815535/28 "2018-06-06T19:31:16Z")
The slow movement with oboe solo from Bizet’s Symphony in C that accompanied the naturist scene in _Pane e Cioccolato_ (Bread and Chocolate). It was surprisingly direct and effective in its naked simplicity. ---
**Author:** ![Dropo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Dropo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dropo)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-use-of-classical-music-on-a-movie-soundtrack/815535/29 "2018-06-06T20:15:51Z")
Cheating more than a bit here with a TV show, but I always liked the musical recap at the end of season 3 of _Reboot_ done to the tune of “I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General” (from G & S’s 1879 opera _The Pirates of Penzance_). [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNM-_aYDXyo) The best known segment of “The Thieving Magpie” was also used for a sequence in\* Once Upon a Time in America\* (1984). ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-use-of-classical-music-on-a-movie-soundtrack/815535/30 "2018-06-06T20:54:05Z")
Brahms’ Violin Concerto in D Major was used to great effect in _There Will Be Blood_, especially at the end. ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-use-of-classical-music-on-a-movie-soundtrack/815535/31 "2018-06-06T21:10:39Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > Honorable mention but ineligible: “Ride of the Valkyries” (Wagner, again) in Apocalypse Now, because it’s part of the movie action, not really on the soundtrack per se. I suppose Beethoven in _A Clockwork Orange_ is also ineligible? Can we give it another honorable mention? ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-use-of-classical-music-on-a-movie-soundtrack/815535/32 "2018-06-06T21:13:59Z")
Rollerball had great stuff. Bach should always be played before sporting events. And it also used my personal favorite, [Adagio](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adagio_in_G_minor), by Albioni/Giazotto. That piece gets used a lot. [The Trial](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Trial_(1962_film)) also featured it. As it’s only musical accompaniment. but it worked. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-use-of-classical-music-on-a-movie-soundtrack/815535/33 "2018-06-06T21:14:18Z")
> [@Quercus](#): > > I suppose Beethoven in _A Clockwork Orange_ is also ineligible? Can we give it another honorable mention? Approved. Another musical moment I love, is from **Babe** : the song the farmer sings to the pig, and which returns triumphantly in the soundtrack at the end. I think it’s from a Saint-Saens organ concerto but heavily modified; perhaps someone who’s familiar with both Saint-Saens and family comedies can elaborate. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-use-of-classical-music-on-a-movie-soundtrack/815535/34 "2018-06-06T22:46:18Z")
Dangerous Liaisons had many such moments, including this scene where Glenn Close realizes, even before he does, that John Malkovich is falling in love with Michelle Pfeiffer: [- YouTube](https://youtu.be/3bN19HeGvLY) ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-use-of-classical-music-on-a-movie-soundtrack/815535/35 "2018-06-06T23:29:42Z")
I always liked the use of Schumann’s “The Happy Farmer” in the opening scenes of _The Wizard of Oz._. It was the one piece I mastered when I was taking piano lessons. ---
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2018, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-use-of-classical-music-on-a-movie-soundtrack/815535/36 "2018-06-07T00:28:27Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > Approved. > > Another musical moment I love, is from **Babe** : the song the farmer sings to the pig, and which returns triumphantly in the soundtrack at the end. I think it’s from a Saint-Saens organ concerto but heavily modified; perhaps someone who’s familiar with both Saint-Saens and family comedies can elaborate. It is an adaptation of the main theme from the finale of Saint-Saens Symphony #3 (aka “Organ Symphony”). Here is the transition from the scherzo to the finale [link](https://youtu.be/ZWCZq33BrOo?t=27m38s) the “Babe” theme starts at 28:49 first in a quiet “watery” version featuring four hands at the piano, then fortissimo on the organ and full orchestra. One of the greatest moments in all of classical music. Saint-Saëns said “I gave everything to it I was able to give. What I have here accomplished, I will never achieve again.” ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2018, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-use-of-classical-music-on-a-movie-soundtrack/815535/37 "2018-06-07T00:58:57Z")
Barber’s Adagio for Strings in [Platoon](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECQeLQURNuw) ---
**Author:** ![biqu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7feea3/32.png) [@biqu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/biqu)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2018, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-use-of-classical-music-on-a-movie-soundtrack/815535/38 "2018-06-07T01:16:09Z")
The overture from The Marriage of Figaro is used to great effect in _Zombieland_, during a scene where the main characters smash up a souvenir shop to take out their frustrations. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2018, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-use-of-classical-music-on-a-movie-soundtrack/815535/39 "2018-06-07T01:21:43Z")
Machete used ave maria to ridiculous effect. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2018, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-use-of-classical-music-on-a-movie-soundtrack/815535/40 "2018-06-07T01:26:38Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Beethoven’s 9th Symphony in _Die Hard_ > [@Jim\_s\_Son](#): > > Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” in “Die Hard” when Hans Gruber et al finally open the safe. It needs to be said at least one more time. The use of “Ode to Joy”, in various forms, throughout the movie is masterful. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-use-of-classical-music-on-a-movie-soundtrack/815535.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-use-of-classical-music-on-a-movie-soundtrack/815535.md?page=3)