The Practical Magic Original Soundtrack is a compilation of songs that perfectly capture the whimsical and enchanting atmosphere of the beloved film. Released in 1998, the soundtrack features an eclectic mix of artists, including Stevie Nicks, Alanis Morissette, Faith Hill, and Joni Mitchell. One of the standout tracks on the album is the hauntingly beautiful "Amas Veritas" by Alan Silvestri, which serves as the film's main theme. The song's ethereal vocals and delicate piano melody evoke a sense of magic and mystery, perfectly setting the tone for the story that unfolds onscreen. Stevie Nicks's "If You Ever Did Believe" is another standout song on the soundtrack. Nicks's signature raspy voice and poetic lyrics create a sense of longing and yearning that encapsulates the film's themes of love and fate.
Bear necessity: Designing a mascot for the 1980 Moscow Olympics
Olympic Mishka, the mascot of the 1980 Summer Olympic Games in Moscow, welcomes visitors of Gorky Central Park. Moscow, USSR.
July 19, 1980 saw the opening of the Olympic Games in Moscow. The mascot for the event – a charming teddy bear with a belt of Olympic symbols – is still popular in many countries around the world. Its author, artist Viktor Chizhikov, tells the story of its creation.
Rossiyskaya Gazeta: How did the story of the Olympic mascot begin?
Viktor Chizhikov: I then worked at a children's publisher and knew nothing about the competition for the Olympic mascot. It all happened by chance. My friend was met by one of the leaders of the Russian Union of Artists, who told him about the competition, that the Olympic Committee had already received 40,000 versions of bears, but the jury could not find a suitable one.
And he suggested that children's artists also take part. The time limit was one month. In about a week, we drew pencil sketches – more than 100 bears – and took them to the Olympic Committee. After some time, my wife met my friend in the street and asked him: "Why are you so sad?" He answered: "I just found out that Vitka's [a diminutive of Viktor] bear passed, and mine didn't."
Viktor Chizhikov. Source: Vyacheslav Un Da-sin/TASS
RG: So they chose your sketch. And were there any special instructions afterward from the Communist Party to adjust the image?
V. C.: I had to draw a bear that was unlike any other bear drawn by thousands of artists. This is a difficult task, the one that was facing me. Our country should not have been in any case accused of plagiarism. And Mishka, thank God, passed the exam.
RG: Your Mishka is very different from those represented by the foreign press.
V. C.: A Russian bear was often used in political cartoons. It was an obscene, boorish bear. But I wanted to make an optimistic image, for it to appeal to the best human feelings. It took me long to convey the "Olympic" quality of Mishka. At first I thought of putting a multicolored cap on it – with each wedge of the color of the flag of the Olympics participating countries. But because of the cap, you could not see the ears. Hang medals around the neck? But they hang them on all mascots. The beaver in Canada also had medals.
They said I copied Mishka from my housemate, composer Valery Zubkov. I didn’t argue, a good man. In reality, I saw Mishka with an Olympic belt in a dream. It happened many times when I was working on an image. The main thing is to instantly wake up and draw it, or you forget it.
In August 1977, there was an exhibition in Moscow, where 64 bears were presented. The president of the IOC, Lord Michael Killanin, came. He looked and looked and suddenly stopped right by my work and said: "This is it!" I was told this by one journalist.
I got a call from the Olympic Committee only after a month, probably they were waiting for the party's approval: "Congratulations, your bear has been approved." That's the whole biography of the bear. However, it cost me a lot of nerves.
Olympic Mishka flying away from the Lenin Central Stadium during the closing ceremony of the 22nd Summer Olympic Games. Source: Semyon Maisterman and Nikolai Naumenkov/TASS
RG: You mean the copyright registration process?
V. C.: Nothing was legally formalized. I was asked to sign documents affirming that I had carried out the work under the title of "Funny Little Bear."
They gave me 1,300 rubles in the Olympic Committee's accounts department and some more money came to my bank account. In total, I received about 2,000 rubles [the average monthly salary in the USSR in 1980 was 120 rubles – RBTH].
The mascot shouldered over 90 percent of the Olympic propaganda. But that's not the main thing. After the 1980 Olympics, the world's attitude toward us significantly improved, and Mishka played a considerable role in this. I had an unusual mission, and I did a good job.
It was a rare stroke of luck. I love it like my own child. And I am very grateful to the director of the 1980 Olympics, Tumanov, for the great image of the bear in the stands. Remember when a tear rolls down its cheek? The likeness wasn’t distorted, which can't be said about the rubber Mishka that flew out of the stadium. I would set totally different proportions.
The image of Mishka was then replicated around the world. I wasn’t surprised when I saw it in a different guise: In the form of a bottle of perfume, for example, or on a box of matches. And in Prague, my Mishka promotes the Museum of Communism. It is depicted on a poster with a Kalashnikov assault rifle – although there is a hope for peace in the eyes of my Mishka.
Some merchant sailors told me that, when in Polynesia, they presented a poster with Mishka to a Papuan leader. Those were the places visited by [Russian explorer] Miklouho-Maclay. That's funny.
The article has been published in an abbreviated form. First published in Russian by Rossiyskay Gazeta.
Read more: Cheburashka: Fun facts about Russia's iconic furry character>>>
Nicks's signature raspy voice and poetic lyrics create a sense of longing and yearning that encapsulates the film's themes of love and fate. The song perfectly captures the essence of the film and is a favorite among fans. Other notable songs on the soundtrack include "Put the Lime in the Coconut" by Harry Nilsson, a light-hearted and fun tune that highlights the film's quirky nature, and "Crystal" by Stevie Nicks, a hauntingly beautiful song that further enhances the magical atmosphere of the film.
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Russia olympics mascot
Feb. 20, 2014 at 8:17 p.m. ET
The mascot of the 1980 Summer Olympic Games in Moscow was Misha the bear, still fondly remembered by Russians today. A marvel of Olympic marketing, the chubby iconic bear was designed by Viktor Chizhikov. WSJ’s Lukas Alpert reports.
The Practical Magic Original Soundtrack is a delightful collection of songs that transport listeners to the world of the film. Each song contributes to the overall atmosphere and storytelling, making it an essential part of the movie experience. Whether you are a fan of the film or simply in search of enchanting and mystical music, this soundtrack is sure to captivate and delight..
Reviews for "The Soundtrack that Haunts: The Moody Tunes of Practical Magic"
1. Lisa - 2 out of 5 stars
I found the Practical Magic Original Soundtrack to be quite disappointing. While the movie itself is a magical and whimsical experience, the soundtrack failed to capture that essence. The songs felt generic and unmemorable, and I found myself skipping through most of them. I was hoping for enchanting melodies that would transport me back to the beautiful world of Practical Magic, but unfortunately, this soundtrack fell short.
2. John - 1 out of 5 stars
I was highly disappointed with the Practical Magic Original Soundtrack. It felt like a jumbled mix of uninspired songs that did not add anything to the movie or enhance the overall experience. The music lacked depth and failed to evoke any emotions within me. I expected a soundtrack that would transport me into the enchanting world of the movie, but instead, I was left feeling indifferent. I would not recommend this soundtrack to anyone seeking a magical and immersive musical experience.
3. Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars
The Practical Magic Original Soundtrack was a letdown for me. The songs did not resonate with the mood or theme of the movie. It seemed like a mishmash of random tracks that did not mesh well together. None of the songs stood out or left a lasting impression. Overall, I found the soundtrack to be forgettable and lacking the magical charm that the movie possessed. I was hoping for a captivating auditory experience, but sadly, this soundtrack fell short of my expectations.
4. Brian - 1 out of 5 stars
I found the Practical Magic Original Soundtrack to be underwhelming and forgettable. The music felt generic and uninspired, and I struggled to connect with any of the songs. I was expecting a captivating and enchanting soundtrack that would transport me to the mystical world of the movie, but instead, I was left feeling detached and uninterested. The lack of memorable melodies and captivating arrangements made this soundtrack a disappointment for me.