The Music of Magic
Music often plays an essential part in creating the drama for a magical performance. Here are some examples of classical music pieces to which magicians have performed
Danse Macabre op. 40 by Camille Saint Saëns
(1835-1921)
Danse Macabre by Camille Saint Saëns portrays a ghostly story.
The church clock strikes the midnight hour which signals the awakening of the graveyard spirits, and the start of their antics and dancing in the moonlight.
The piece is apt for such performances as the sawing in half or to accompany other forms of human dismemberment... all in the interests of magical entertainment, I must add.
The Sorcerer's Apprentice by Paul Dukas
(France, 1865-1935)
The Sorcerer's Apprentice (L'Apprenti Sorcier) is written as a Scherzo (A Musical Joke). The music was based on a story which can be traced back to ancient Egypt, the story is referenced in A Complete History of Magic and Witchcraft published in 1715. The story tells of the Magician Pancrates and his bungling assistant Lucrates. The music was composed by Paul Ducas after the Egyptian story was put to verse by the German poet Goethe. The music was used in the Walt Disney film Fantasia.
Traumerai by Schuman
For a larger image, click on the picture.
The Levitation of Princess Karnac
was performed by Howard Thurston (1869-1936) and was accompanied by Traumerai.
Other titles of Music for Magic
David Devant used selections from Gilbert and Sullivan's Iolanthe in "The magical Master".
The Song of India is appropriate for suspension and levitation illusions.
The Ride of the Valkyres by Wilhelm Richard Wagner (1813 - 1883).
to Download the Danse Macabre MIDI file