About two weeks before Mickey appeared solo as a violinist, he had conducted a whole Barnyard Concert, trying to coax musical brilliance from farm animals. It’s more of an ensemble piece, with all the players allowed to have a moment or two, including the fifth appearance of Clarabelle Cow (Minnie’s best friend) and third by Horace Horsecollar. (In a few years, roles for Clarabelle and Horace would begin to diminish. By 1942, they had all but disappeared until the 1980s when they would return for cameos.) Again, there’s no dialogue and the cartoon is dependent on sight gags (a problematic toupee, Mickey playing music on some nursing piglets and bugs mistaken for musical notes).
Also as before, its set entirely to a a classical piece. Considering that jazz, swing and Tin Pan Alley were the popular musical styles of the time, it’s interesting that classical music was used, especially since that this early incarnation of Mickey was less cuddly and more a scamp and a wiseacre. Certainly, classical music lends itself to a broader visual interpretation, but so would jazz. Perhaps Disney himself was not enthusiastic about the music of the day, or he felt that new, modern music might be alienating to older or more traditional audiences. I think its likely that Disney was trying to elevate a “low” art form by pairing it with classical music. Funny, that, inasmuch as it could be argued that many Americans (including yours truly) first and most lasting exposure to classical music was through cartoons. Mozart could never have imagined it. As it is, the piece performed is Franz von Suppe’s “Poet and Peasant Overture.”
Director: Walt Disney; Cast includes Walt Disney (Mickey Mouse).
“The Barnyard Concert” is available as part of Walt Disney Treasures Mickey Mouse in Black and White, Volume Two, 1928 – 1935.
“The Barnyard Concert” at IMDb.
Tags: Mickey Mouse, Walt Disney
