Music from Looney Tunes

One of the great things about classic cartoons is the music.  Some of the music comes from easily identifiable classical sources, such as Strauss waltzes, from traditional American songs -- Stephen Foster is heavily used -- or from popular songs of the day.  

Here are two pieces you should recognize from cartoons, but which you might have trouble putting a name to.  

The first is "The Dance of the Comedians" from Smetana's The Bartered Bride.

This is most often heard in Road Runner cartoons, such as this one:

Incidentally, Smetana is probably best known for his tone poem "The Moldau", which is part of a series called "Ma Vlast", or "My Fatherland".  If you're not familiar with it, give it a listen -- it's one of the most beautiful pieces of music around.  

The second piece is "Powerhouse" by Raymond Scott.  

You hear this in LOTS of cartoons.  Here's a good one (with lots of popular songs, too!).