Halloween Music – Classical and Classically Influenced Music
Halloween music – in past years we looked at Halloween tunes in the genres of Rock Music and Oldies (1920’s to 1950’s) (see links below). This year I thought it would be good to take a look at classical and classically influenced music. We have some great selections to choose from to add atmosphere to your Halloween parties and events.
Berloiz Symphonie Fantastique – End excerpt (The Shining mix)
The Low key, painstakingly slow, gloom and doom melody was used quite successfully to open the film, The Shining (1980). It was also used in the openning of The Screaming Skull and the Amicus anthology film.
Mussorgsky – Night On Bald Mountain
Majestic and foreboding melody, signifying the rise of evil in the animated film Fantasia, will set an oppressive mood at any Halloween get-together.
Toccata and Fugue in D Minor – Bach
The famous ‘haunted house’ music made ever more popular by its use in Amicus and Hammer films will get any creepy party started.
Brooding, Doom and Gloom…the fabulous music of Akira Ifukube
Godzilla theme- Akira Ifukube – from Ghidorah, The Three Headed Monster
Godzilla theme 1954 – Akira Ifukube
Destroy All Monsters – Main Theme -Akira Ifukube (Also used in War of the Gargantuas)
Adrian von Ziegler – Dark Music
Hope you enjoyed this year’s selections. All are examples of wonderful music to add atmosphere and mood to your Halloween get-together and parties.
Check out past Halloween Music choices from Parlor of Horror:
Vintage Halloween Songs for Parties
13 Fright Tunes for a Rockin’ Halloween
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Symphonie Fantastique is one of my top favorite orchestral pieces. Especially the last movement. The last few minutes of it is called “Witches’ Round Dance.” Another possibility is The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, by Paul Dukas.
Yeah. its a long piece and the part we’re familiar with is only the end section.
Berlioz, that is some chilling music.
I’ll be checking some of these out this week, thanks for sharing. Don’t know if you’ve seen The Black Cat (1934)? I just watched it and enjoyed the classical soundtrack. Music is a big part of setting the mood in that film.
I haven’t seen it in years. I think next year I’m going to do Movie Soundtrack music and I’ll look into The Black Cat for the post, thanks for the tip 🙂
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Great post! That opener to The Shining, the foreboding music, it’s SO good and distinctive.
Yeah, I think those low bass notes get into the human psyche on a metaphysical level.