In 1897, French composer Paul Dukas wrote The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, a symphonic poem that tells a story through orchestral music. It was inspired by a poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. When a sorcerer leaves his workshop, his apprentice uses magic to bring a broom to life and make it fetch water. However, he does not know how to stop it. Soon, water floods the workshop. He chops the broom in two, but both halves begin carrying water! Only the returning sorcerer can restore order.

Dukas uses different instruments to bring the story to life. A bassoon plays a comical theme for the marching broom. This recurring motif, or repeated musical idea, returns as the broom continues working. Changes in tempo (speed), dynamics (volume) and rhythm build excitement and danger. Strings, woodwind, brass and percussion combine to make the music increasingly frantic before calm returns.

Dukas conducted the first performance in Paris. Later, Disney’s film Fantasia introduced the music to new audiences, with Mickey Mouse playing the apprentice.