Today’s piece nearly needs no introduction: from the very first notes, your imagination, no doubt conjures images of enchanted brooms, floods, and a mischievous magical mouse. Composed in 1897, “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” by Paul Dukas was already considerably popular when Walt Disney had already purchased the musical right and was intending on making an animated short film of the piece.

At the suggestion of conductor Leopold Stokowski, “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” became the cornerstone of the full-length motion picture, Disney’s “Fantasia.”

The composer of the piece, Paul Dukas, was a reserved, highly critical artist, and for many years was a highly respected teacher of composition at the Paris Conservatory. He came to resent the popularity of this piece, feeling it overshadowed his later work. Dukas died in 1935, many years, and many pieces after composing his most famous piece. He once said about teaching that “Music necessarily has to express something; it is also obliged to express somebody, namely, its composer.”

We think you’ll definitely agree that this music expresses…magic. And keep your eye on those broomsticks…

Be sure to listen to Maestro Tchivzhel’s personal insights to this fantastic piece by clicking on the video below, then prepare to be mesmerized by the GSO’s magical performance by clicking on the following link: Audio Clip