Tom & Jerry

Bugs Bunny (Rhapsody Rabbit)

Mickey Mouse – The Opry House

Woody Woodpecker (Convict Concerto)

Rhapsody in Rivets

Lastly, the original piece.
Visit here for information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungarian_Rhapsody_No._2
Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2, S.244/2 by Franz Liszt

in characteranimation and music.

As mentioned in a previous post, I’ve been discovering some fantastic classical music, particulary the virtuoso pianists of the 19th Century. I aquired a few CDs of Chopin and Liszt pieces, and they are just astounding.

Franz Liszt was definitely the 19th century equivilent of a thrash metal shredder: an “olden-day” Slayer. Especially with solo piano, his pieces are so dynamic and exciting. Markus Groh, who plays on the CD I’ve got, conveys it well, particulary with the loud sections, building up to a barrarge of crazy and dynamic sound (I believe it is called a crescendo) 

Famously, Franz Liszt’s Hunagrian Rhapsody is used on a number of cartoons, such as in the film, “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?”, which the first time, as a kid, I came across the piece (every one knows the tune, I’m sure). I even loved the song then.

Above is an older Bug Bunny cartoon, which is gloriously dark for a children’s cartoon. Enjoy.

If you’re spending your New Year’s in a much warmer climate (say, the party atmosphere of the Balearic Islands which include Ibiza and Mallorca), then you’ll probably be awash in neon-signs of all-night bars when the clock hits 12:00 (or 24:00/0:00 in Europe’s case). Spend the 1st recuperating from what will likely be a barrage of flaming drinks and guitar-playing, Bob Marley-singing backpackers and the thumpa-thump music of the bars, but do consider making the effort on January 2nd for a less-famous (though no less fabulous) New Year’s Concert with Simfonica de Balears.

Proof that not all New Year’s concerts have to be booked a year in advance, the Balearic Islands Symphony Orchestra will be kicking off 2008 (fashionably late, like most Mediterraneans) in Palma with their own version of the New Year’s concert. Modeled after that of Vienna’s, the BISO’s version has been running strong for over 20 years. And, given its relative youth to other competitors, has comparably low ticket prices (they range from 30 to 50 Euros for seats at the Auditòrium de Palma de Mallorca). Conductor Robert Reimer will chase away the remains of your hangover with the overture to Rossini’s William Tell (yes, THAT William Tell Overture), the Radetzky March by Strauss, Brahms’ Hungarian Dance No.5 and Waltz of the Flowers from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, among many others.

If you’re considering a longer stay in Mallorca or the Balearic region, consider a subscription to this gem of an orchestra. The prices for New Year’s are significantly inflated compared to regular prices (which can sink as low as 6 Euros in the form of a reduced ticket for students and youth) and the house is intimate enough that no seat is a bad seat.

Thanks, lunalunita!
Fundacio Publica de les Balears per a la Musica
C/Vicenc Juan Rossello 22B, Palma
971 287 565
http://www.simfonica-de-balears.com/