An Optical Poem

An Optical Poem (1938)

March 5th, 19380h 7min

Animation, Music
66%

Overview

A dance of shapes. A title card tells us this is an experiment in conveying the mental images of music in a visual form. Liszt's "Second Hungarian Rhapsody" is the music. The shapes, all two-dimensional, are circles primarily, with some squares and rectangles, and a few triangles. The shapes move rhythmically to the music: receding from view or moving across the screen. Red circles on a blue background; light blue squares; white rectangles. Then, a red background of many circles with a few in the foreground. Red gives way to blue then to white. Shapes reappear as Liszt's themes re-occur. Then, with a few staccato notes and images, it's over.


Make sure to check your pop-up blocker!!

Trailer

Similar Movies

Fantasia

Fantasia


Released on: 1940-11-13
Animation, Family, Fantasy

Walt Disney's timeless masterpiece is an extravaganza of sight and sound! See the music come to life...

Man of the Woods

Man of the Woods


Released on: 2019-10-20
Music

At night, in the dark recesses of the woods, a male cellist lures in viewers with a performance of B...

John Cage: I Have Nothing to Say and I Am Saying It

John Cage: I Have Nothing to Say and I Am Saying It


Released on: 1990-09-18
Documentary, Music, TV Movie

This 56-minute documentary on America's most controversial and unique composer manages to cover a gr...

Igor Stravinsky's 'The Firebird' by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Igor Stravinsky's 'The Firebird' by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra


Released on: 2022-11-17
Music

On Air presents Igor Stravinsky's The Firebird, performed by the world-renowned Royal Philharmonic O...

Igor Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring performed by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Igor Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring performed by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra


Released on: 2022-11-17
Music

On Air presents Igor Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring, performed by the world-renowned Royal Philharm...

Igor Stravinsky's 'Petrushka' by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Igor Stravinsky's 'Petrushka' by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra


Released on: 2022-11-17
Music

On Air presents Igor Stravinsky's Petrushka, performed by the world-renowned Royal Philharmonic Orch...

The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker


Released on: 1977-12-16
Music, Fantasy

The Nutcracker is Mikhail Baryshnikov's breathtaking and critically acclaimed Emmy-nominated product...

André Rieu - The Christmas I Love

André Rieu - The Christmas I Love


Released on: 2011-11-25
Music

The Christmas I Love’ is a very special Christmas gift – a collection of some of the most tender car...

Waldbühne 2017 | Legends of the Rhine

Waldbühne 2017 | Legends of the Rhine


Released on: 2017-10-20
Music

For their annual season end concert, the Berliner Philharmoniker take the audience on a dreamy, magi...

András Schiff plays Bach

András Schiff plays Bach


Released on: 2011-01-31
Music

Surely Bach’s French Suites, which he composed during his years at Cöthen (1717–1723), are among the...

Siapa Dia

Siapa Dia


Released on: 2025-08-28
Drama, Music

Layar, a popular film star who feels bored with his career wants to make a musical theater set in a ...

Boulez at 80

Boulez at 80


Released on: 2005-11-12
Music, Documentary, TV Movie

Pierre Boulez conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in a special concert from the Barbican,...

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 'Symphony No. 41 in C Major'

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 'Symphony No. 41 in C Major'


Released on: 2021-05-21
Music

Packed with intricate melodies, harmonies, and instrumentation, Johannes Vogel conducts the Synchron...

Antonin Dvořák's 'Symphony No. 9 in E Minor'

Antonin Dvořák's 'Symphony No. 9 in E Minor'


Released on: 2021-05-21
Music

Packed with intricate melodies, harmonies, and instrumentation, Johannes Vogel conducts the Synchron...

Johannes Brahms' 'Symphony No. 4 in E Minor'

Johannes Brahms' 'Symphony No. 4 in E Minor'


Released on: 2021-05-21
Music

Packed with intricate melodies, harmonies, and instrumentation, Johannes Vogel conducts the Synchron...

Ludwig van Beethoven's 'Symphony No. 9 in D Minor'

Ludwig van Beethoven's 'Symphony No. 9 in D Minor'


Released on: 2020-12-18
Music

Originally aired as part of Beethoven’s 250th anniversary celebration, Johannes Vogel conducts the S...

Jack-Jack Attack

Jack-Jack Attack


Released on: 2005-03-15
Adventure, Animation, Family

The Parrs' baby Jack-Jack is thought to be normal, not having any super-powers like his parents or s...

John Williams in Tokyo

John Williams in Tokyo


Released on: 2024-05-03
Music

30 years after his last visit to Japan, John Williams has returned for a special concert – making hi...

Eroica

Eroica


Released on: 2003-10-04
Drama, Music, TV Movie

British filmmaker Simon Cellan Jones directs the BBC drama Eroica, starring Ian Hart as Ludwig van B...

Andrea Bocelli - Vivere Live in Tuscany

Andrea Bocelli - Vivere Live in Tuscany


Released on: 2007-12-01
Music

Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli grew up in Lajatico, a rural village in Tuscany, where his family still...