Boccherini’s Elegant “Minuet”

Classical music is often used in film and tv, as the theme for the upper-class. What says money more than strings, right? Well that is what many directors think so too, and so does much of the audience due its constant use in this context. However, while there are classical pieces used to evoke rather different themes, there are certain classical pieces that are purposely and especially chosen to portray a sense of higher class. One great example of this is Luigi Boccherini’s “Minuet” from his String Quintet Op.11 No.5. 

History

Italian composer Luigi Rodolfo Boccherini (born 1743), is an important figure of classical music history for his influence in the creation of the string quartet and quintet as a musical genre. Although he has written sacred music, sonatas, concertos, and symphonies; the renowned cellist’s first compositions were written for a string quintet. However, his most famous and widely-known work is that of the String Quintet in E, Op.11, No.5. Written in 1771 and published in 1775, ten years into his experience as a composer, the piece was not received with any special recognition. But regardless of its initial release, the quintet is recognized as his most notable work, especially due to the constant performance of the third movement. Occasionally referred as the “Celebrated Minuet”, the “Minuetto, Trio (A major)” became so well-known that it is most often played as a standalone piece rather than with the full quintet.

 

How is it used?

The “Minuet” has been used countless times in the world of visual and popular media, whether that be in film, tv, or even videogames. Often used to evoke a sense of elegance, wealth, class, and/or lavishness. It has also often been used to depict late 18^th and early 19^th century society in the United States. The piece first had a notable rise of usage in the 1940s and 50s, with The Time of Their Lives (1946), The Magnificent Ambersons (1942), and most notably, The Ladykillers (1955) among several others. From then on, the piece has been used extensively, often in scenes with similar context or imagery of a formal event or location. Such as visiting a museum like in The Good Wife (S3, E12), or going on a fancy date like in Stranger Things Season 3 (Episode 2). While rare, the piece has also been used in the comedic genre, but often used to showcase a sense of higher class. 

 

Some other notable uses?

• Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) – directed by John Hughes
• In Her Shoes (2005) – directed by Curtis Hanson
• The Vampire Diaries “Miss Mystic Falls” (S1, E19) – directed by Marcos Siega
• Gossip Girl 2007 “Never Been Marcused” (S2, E2) – directed by Michael Fields
• Community “Remedial Chaos Theory” (S3, E4) – directed by Jeff Melman
• Fallout 76 “Classic Radio” (release: 2018) - Videogame 

 

 

Classic or Cliché?

The directors are well aware of the context of which this piece has been used so often for, making it a given in the audience’s expectation of it. It has definitely become a cliché in how it is used and what it is used to portray in film and tv. A high-class cliché.