Many of us grew up in a time when we may have been introduced to classical music
by watching those wonderful classic cartoons. Who can forget hearing Rossini's overture to "Barber of Seville" with Bugs Bunny as the "Rabbit of Seville," or Elmer Fudd in the role of Tannhauser singing to Princess Elizabeth played by Bugs Bunny
in "What's Opera Doc?" The ballet by graceful hippopotomuses dancing to Ponchielli's "Dance of the Hours" and the animated flowers swaying to
Tchaikovsky's "Waltz of the Flowers" in Walt Disney's "Fantasia" are memorable.
And then there's Brahm's Hungarian Dances used in Merrie Melodies Three Little Pigs in "Pigs in a Polka." Lizt's "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2" was used in both Warner Brothers' "Rhapsody Rabbit" with Bugs Bunny, and MGM's "Cat Concerto," featuring Tom and Jerry. Grieg's "Morning Mood" from "Peer Gynt Suite" was used as the theme for television's Bugs Bunny Show, and Warner Brothers use of "Blue Danube Waltz" by Johann Strauss, Jr. in Loony Tunes as a parody of Walt Disney's "Fantasia."
We hope that this retrospective of the use of classical musin in classic cartoons will bring back fond memories of your own introduction to the genre that may have led to the appreciation of music of substance.
Selections on This Recording
Overture from "Barber of Seville" (Rabbit of Seville)
Morning Mood from "Peer Gynt Suite"
(The Bugs Bunny Show)
Dance of the Comedians from "The Bartered Bride"
(Road Runner)
Pilgrim's Chorus from "Tannhauser" (What's Opera Doc?)
Hungarian Dances #5, #6 and #17 (Pigs in a Polka)
Waltz of the Flowers from "Nutcracker" (Fantasia)
Dance of the Hours from "La Gioconda" (Fantasia)
Blue Danube Walts (Corny Concerto)
Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2
(Rhapsody Rabbit and Cat Concerto)
Finale from Overture William Tell
(Bugs Bunny Rides Again)