Composers On Halloween!

The most under-appreciated film in history has to be The Prince of Egypt. I mean, I don’t care if you follow the religion, this a good fucking movie.

I mean, look at the love they put into the Egyptian culture and hieroglyphics: 

Everybody is actually a realistic color of where they live:

ThE MOTHERFUCKING ART THEY PUT INTO THIS MOVIE

The fucking music alone won a fucking oscar people:

The fucking cast like have you seen this line-up???:

Strong female characters:

And last but not least - THE. MOTHER. FUCKING. BEAUTIFUL. HAIR:

and best of all, even though it’s based off of a bible story, it isn’t trying to ram god down your throat. legit the whole movie is about loving yourself and others

The Signs as Symphonies (or just symphonic works)

Being someone who just graduated with my BA in music and is will be pursuing my MA in Musicology in the fall, I'm a bit of a music nerd. This was a long time coming, but here it is. Please enjoy!

Aries:

Schubert - Symphony No. 8, “Unfinished” (1822)

The DRAMA. But seriously, this symphony is so beautiful. It’s beautiful balanced, it occasionally has huge outbursts of drama and sudden dynamic changes. It frequently modulates to major which provides a nice balance to the otherwise minor work. It goes from dramatically chaotic and quick to a calm waltz-like melody. The work itself only has two movements, hence it being nicknamed the “Unfinished” symphony. These sudden changes in mood, the short-lived dramatic/passionate outbursts, and the fact that this work was left unfinished is what lead me to associate this with Aries. Their outbursts rarely last long, they often leave things unfinished, and they can be a bit dramatic at times.

Taurus:

Beethoven - Symphony No. 7 (1811-12)

An amazingly stable and consistent work with subtle hints of sensitivity. It has incredibly driving rhythms which I think can be compared to the stubbornness of a Taurus. There is some drama, as with much of this music but it’s much more calm in this case. It’s driving but in a way that feels more like a steady, determined walk than a climatic charge forward. This work was composed when Beethoven was working on improving his heath in a Bohemian spa town. This is a creative work born from a time when the composer was working on his self-care. Sound familiar?

Gemini:

Elgar - Enigma Variations (1898-99)

This isn’t a symphony, but this is something full of orchestral works so I’m including it anyway because it seems appropriate. This work consists of fourteen different variations on a theme, each variation represents someone in Elgar’s close circle of friends. There’s a wide variety of sounds in this work, similar to the way Geminis can easily switch between topics. Additionally, this work reflects the importance of the friends which Elgar had in his life, similar to how a Gemini’s complexity and occasional bubbliness can lead to popularity. I had the hardest time figuring out what work to give Gemini.

Cancer:

Tchaikovsky - Symphony No. 6, “Pathétique” (1893)

The Russian title of this symphony is “Патетическая” meaning “passionate” or “emotional.” It’s truly a work that tug’s on one’s heart strings, and it’s quite dramatic. Tchaikovsky himself had a hard time composing the work and even tore up the manuscript at least once when he was doubting his abilities. It’s said that his brother Modest suggested the title after hearing it. When it was time for first perform the work Tchaikovsky was quite excited about it. The emotions surrounding this work and the beautiful emotional roller coaster it takes you on when listening to it are wholly appropriate for the sign ruled by the Moon. (Tchaikovsky, unfortunately, died 9 days after premiering this work)

Leo:

Semtana - Má vlast (1874-79)

This is technically a set of 6 symphonic poems, not a symphony. However, this work is a representation of the Czech composer’s intense pride in his homeland (hence the title, “Má vlast” = “My homeland”) and everything he loves about it from the course of the Vltava to the warrior Šárka and the legend of the Blaník mountain. The beautiful harp opening of the first poem and the immense pride and love you can hear from the brass and strings. Although the emphasis (and love) of home that this work has almost leans into Cancer territory, it’s the pride and the occasional fanfare-ish instrumentation that makes me say Leo.

Virgo:

Mozart - Symphony No. 25 (1773)

There’s no programmatic backstory with this one but the clear organization of this work while cleanly organizing various themes screams Virgo to me. It’s not too extensive, everything is clean cut and in its place. It opens a bit dramatically but it never develops too intensely. There were, indeed, risks taken which are interesting for the time it was written, however, nothing was too extreme because the crowd at its debut still absolutely loved this work.

Libra:

Haydn - Symphony No. 104, “London” (1795)

This opens with a monothematic movement (a movement that uses one theme as a basis for the entire thing). It has the occasional drama to draw in your attention, but overall it’s simply a very well balanced, easygoing piece of music. Some may refer to it as boring but it’s still beautiful and well written with some subtle innovations to keep the listener entertained and to keep the work interesting. It never gets too gritty, sticks to traditional form and remains as beautiful as ever. Even at its most suspenseful, it remains light.

Scorpio:

Berlioz - Symphonie Fantastique (1830)

I was originally gonna list this as Pisces because most of this is a prime example of escapism and living in an opium induced dream. However, the drama, extremes, and obsessiveness of this work scream Scorpio. This may be a dream but it doesn’t end well, he actually dreams of his own doom and of his soul being dragged to hell before being taunted by witches. This work transforms from a quiet dreamy opening to a light dance movement then eventually it becomes a dramatic work reflecting the beheading of the main character and the damnation of his soul--all of which is tied together by the idée fixe. It’s appropriate for Scorpio if you ask me.

Sagittarius:

Dvořák - Symphony No. 9, “From the New World” (1893)

This work is inspired by the experiences that Dvořák had while living in the United States in the 1890s. It draws influence from the music he heard across the US from various cultures (namely Black Americans and Natives). Some of the music he heard while in the States reminded him of music he heard in some European countries. He was influenced by not only the music but also the things that he saw. The blending of cultures and experiences that he does in this work is truly worthy of being associated with Sagittarius if you ask me.

Capricorn:

Tchaikovsky - Symphony No. 4, “Fate” (1877-78)

I honestly love this symphony, it has a lot going on in it and it’s beautiful. It was dedicated to Tchaikovsky’s best friend Nadezhna von Meck, which was quite something at the time because it meant he was acknowledging her to be his equal. Tchaikovsky stated that the opening of this work is representative of the the ways the universe prevents one from attaining their happiness. He says that there’s no way to escape this reality and one just has to take it as it is, “no haven exists.” He also incorporates traditional Russian themes into the final movement, a touch of tradition. This heavy emphasis on the grimness of reality as well as the dedication to a friend he was long loyal to, is all Capricorn.

Aquarius:

Beethoven - Symphony No. 3, “Sinfonia Eroica” (1803-04)

This work was dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte, the man which Beethoven believed to embody the anti-monarchal ideals of the French Revolution (at some point he even titled the work “Buonaparte”). It’s a representation of heroics (eroica=heroic), being someone who saves the people and works for the greater good. A work dedicated to the idea of revolution while also being a landmark piece in western music history? What could be more Aquarian?

Pisces:

Rimsky-Korsakov - Scheherazade (1888)

This is another one that isn’t technically a symphony, it’s actually a symphonic suite. It opens big and includes a well known violin solo, the texture frequently changes in this work. It was intentionally written to create a sensation of fantasy, like a dream. The composer intentionally avoided creating movement titles that were too specific, and instead decided he wanted to create titles which were more vague. He wanted the listener to hear this work as something vaguely themed, he wanted it to take the listeners through a fairytale. The only thing he kept clear was the main title “Scheherazade” because he wanted the listeners to know the main inspiration for the style in which he wrote this work. The vagueness and the elements of some fantastical story is undoubtedly Piscean.

Hi! I'd like to see different ballet styles, productions and footage, and was wondering if you had links to some of them! Thank you so much.

French Ballet

Pierre Lacotte Reconstructions

La Sylphide 1972 | 2004

Paquita

Coppelia

Giselle

Rudolf Nureyev

Swan Lake

Sleeping Beauty 2005 |2013

Bayadere

Nutcracker 1989 | 2012

Raymonda

Don Quixote 2002 | 2012 (I, II)

Romeo and Juliet

Cinderella

Bournonville Ballet

La Sylphide: Danish Ballet 

Etudes 1969 (II) | 2005

Flower Festival in Genzano Danish Ballet | POB | Mariinksy | Royal Ballet

Napoli

The Kermesse in Bruges

A Folk Tale

The Bournonville School

Russian Ballet

Marius Petipa revivals (originally premiered/staged at the Paris Opera)

> originally by Jules Perrot

La Esmeralda Mariinksy 1982 - 2012

Giselle Bolshoi: 1956 - 1975 | ABT 1969 - 1977 | La Scala | Mariinsky | ENB

> originally by Arthur Saint-Léon

Coppelia Bolshoi (Burlaka/Ratmansky Reconstruction)

> originally by Joseph Mazilier

Le Corsaire Bolshoi (Burlaka/Ratmansky Reconstruction) | Mariinsky

Marius Petipa

La Bayadere  Mariinksy: 1964 - 1979 - 2014 | Bolshoi (Act III)

Don Quixote Bolshoi (I, II, III, IV) (2011) | Mariinsky | Mikhailovsky | ABT

Swan Lake: Bolshoi 1957 - 1983 - 2015 | Mariinsky 1986 - 2007 | Wiener Staatsoper

Sleeping Beauty Mariinsky 1969 | Bolshoi | ROH

The Nutcracker Mariinsky | Bolshoi

Raymonda Mariinsky | Bolshoi | La Scala (Vikharev Reconstruction)

La Fille du Pharaon (Lacotte Reconstruction)

Soviet Ballets

Romeo and Juliet Mariinsky (Lavrovsky) 1955 - 2013 | Bolshoi (Grigorovich) 1979 -  2013

Cinderella

Flames of Paris

Laurencia

Hamlet

Anyuta

Gayane (Armenia) Bolshoi 1980 | Mariinsky 2014

Shurale

Yuri Grigorovich

The Legend of Love

Spartacus 1970 |1977 | 2008

Ivan the Terrible 1975 | 1977 | 2015

The Stone Flower

English Ballet

Frederick Ashton

Sylvia

La Fille Mal Gardee

Swan Lake

Cinderella

The Dream ROH | ABT

La Valse

Kenneth MacMillan

Manon Danish Ballet | Royal Ballet

Romeo and Juliet

Mayerling

Anastasia

Balanchine - American Ballet

Symphony in C: NYCB | POB 

Jewels: NYCB (Emeralds Diamonds)  | Mariinsky

Stravinsky Violin Concerto

Serenade

Agon

Apollo 1960 |1968 | 1979

Theme and Variations: NYCB

A Midsummer Night’s Dream: NYCB | POB

Vienna Waltzes

Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux NYCB | Royal Ballet

Ballets Russes

Les Sylphides: Bolshoi | ABT | Kirov | Royal Ballet

Scheherezade

L’Apres midi d’une faune

The Firebird: Mariinsky | Bonus

Le Spectre de la Rose: POB

Petroushka: 1976 | 1992 | 2011

Rite of Spring: Joffrey Ballet | Mariinsky

El Sombrero de Tres Picos

Le Train Bleu

Parade

Les Noces: Royal Ballet | Mariinsky

The Prodigal Son

Documentaries

The Romantic Era

Giselle: A Documentary

Diaghilev

Classical Ballet

Agrippina Vaganova: The Great and Terrible

Ballerina: A Documentary in Four Parts

Tout prés des étoiles

The King Who Invented Dance

The Art of Baroque Dance

The Rite of Spring

The Children of Theatre Street

American Masters: Balanchine

Ballet Heroes

Les Enfants de la Danse

Historic Footage

The Art of Russian Ballet (Dudinskaya/Maximova)

Kirov Ballet Gala 1981

First Moscow International Ballet Competition, 1969

Galina Mezentseva

Irina Kolpakova

Ekaterina Maximova/Vladimir Vasiliev

Bolshoi Ballet, 1967

Maya Plisetskaya Dances, 1964

Yvette Chauviré

Anna Pavlova I | II | III | IV | V

Tamara Karsavina I | II | III | IV

to-watch (ita)

Neorealismo e posteriori:

Luchino Visconti

Ossessione (1943)

La terra trema (1948)

Bellissima (1951)

Senso (1954)

Le notti bianche (1957)

Rocco e i suoi fratelli (1960)

Il Gattopardo (1963)

La caduta degli dei (1969)

Morte a Venezia (1971)

Ludwig (1973)

Gruppo di famiglia in un interno (1974)

Roberto Rossellini

Roma città aperta (1945)

Paisà (1946)

Germania anno zero (1948)

Europa ‘51 (1952)

Viaggio in Italia (1953)

Vittorio de Sica

I bambini ci guardano (1943)

Sciuscià (1946)

Ladri di biciclette (1948)

Miracolo a Milano (1951)

Umberto D. (1952)

L'oro di Napoli (1954)

La ciociara (1960)

Ieri, oggi, domani (1963)

Il giardino dei Finzi-Contini (1970)

Giuseppe de Santis

Riso amaro (1949)

Commedia all’italiana:

Luigi Comencini

Pane, amore e fantasia (1953)

Pane, amore e gelosia (1954)

Tutti a casa (1960)

Incompreso (1966)

Lo scopone scientifico (1972)

L'ingorgo (1978)

Dino Risi

Pane amore e… (1955)

Poveri ma belli (1957)

Belle ma povere (1957)

Il sorpasso (1962)

I mostri (1963)

Profumo di donna (1974)

Ettore Scola

Riusciranno i nostri eroi a ritrovare l'amico misteriosamente scomparso in Africa? (1968)

Dramma della gelosia - Tutti i particolari in cronaca (1970)

C'eravamo tanto amati (1974)

Brutti, sporchi e cattivi (1976)

Una giornata particolare (1977)

La terrazza (1980)

Ballando ballando (1983)

Maccheroni (1985)

La famiglia (1987)

70s Disco moodboard ✨

The simpsons horror movies tribute

@mistergandalf asked top five historical women

Dita Von Teese in episode 2 of Le Carrosse Noir (The Black Carriage), 2010. A mini series by Christian Louboutin.

a witch’s palm.

palmistry placements that may indicate certain natural traits or abilities related to witchcraft.

the mystic cross. “x” shaped cross located between the head and heart lines. indicates that spirituality, witch’s intuition, and acknowledgement of power or ability were understood at a very young age.

the psychic cross. “x” shaped cross located beneath:

the index finger: blessings from jupiter/zeus. wisdom, and a great capacity for knowledge. often destined to teach or impart. 

the middle finger: blessings from saturn/cronus. intuition, and a great capacity for visceral power. often has natural ability working in dreams and meditations.

the ring finger: blessings from sun/apollo. attraction, and a great ability to naturally draw in your needs and desires. often powerful with enchantments. 

the little finger: blessings from mercury/hermes. instinct, and a great natural ability for practice. often adopts new methods with ease and natural talent.

the psychic triangle. triangular shape located beneath the ring finger. indicates that in this life, or another, you have chosen to suppress your abilities. they are likely powerful, but potentially caused harm- intentionally, or not. (this does not mean they are unreachable, it more likely encourages you to work very consciously.)

the healer’s mark. a series of parallel lines located beneath the little finger. indicates powerful healing abilities; the more lines, the greater the gift. 

the traveller’s mark. a series of parallel lines located beneath the mount of the moon. indicates that there is an innate talent and drive in travelling both the physical and the astral planes. a natural ability for astral projection; the more lines, the greater the gift.

♡ costumes in the sissi trilogy  –  39/50 ♡

sissi’s floral white dress