Playlist: Le Cirque des Reves
The circus arrives without warning”. If you’ve read the book, you know what this quote means and the excitement it instills – for readers of Erin Morgenstern’s “The Night Circus” and fictional patrons of Le Cirque des Rêves alike. One of my favourite parts about this book was the subtle, magical setting.
It had a soft magic system that only existed inside the circus; no one questioned where the magic came from, only that it was there, and it was enjoyable. Her style of writing was so lovely to read – and an influence on my own prose, I like to imagine.
I decided to turn my love for “The Night Circus” into a music playlist on Spotify. This music playlist is full of instrumentals, classical tunes, and film scores. I tried not to rely too heavily on “circus tracks” and I wanted it to have a sense of whimsy and magic as well. Similar to the likes of “Alice in Wonderland” but not too mad or crazy.
What I also love about this music playlist is that it’s lovely to listen to at Christmas time. It can make you excited about the magic and wonder of Christmas – the gift-giving, the sweet treats, the glittering decorations – and that it happens only once a year and for a short period, much like Le Cirque des Rêves.
I hope you enjoy listening to this playlist; while you bake cookies, wrap presents, or simply relax with a good book by the fireplace. It’s music that’ll get you into a magical, whimsical spirit! Enjoy!
See the list of tracks in the playlist below:
1. “A Life Without Limitations” – Amie Doherty // Undone
2. “Edward Scissorhands – Main Theme” – The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra // The Film Music of Danny Elfman
3. “A strange World” – Danny Elfman // Oz the Great and Powerful
4. “Old Toys” – Cirque do Soleil // IRIS
5. “A Secret Garden” – Patrick Doyle // Cinderella
6. “Large Ventricles” – Amie Doherty // Undone
7. “Night Time” – Alexandre Desplat, Aaron Zigman // Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium
8. “Once Upon a December (from Anastasia)” – Emile Pandolfi // Believe
9. “Impossible Opening” – Jan A.P. Kaczmarek, Nick Ingman // Finding Neverland
10. “The Finale” – Danny Elfman // Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride
11. “Flying Scarlett” – Cirque du Soleil // IRIS
12. “Sanctuary” – James Newton Howard, Matt Ward // Water for Elephants
13. “Sugar Plum and Clara” – James Newton Howard // The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
14. “Into Thin Air” – Filtered Music // Trick or Treat: A Collection of Playfully Quirky Halloween Haunts
15. “Mahoney’s Debut” – Alexandre Desplat, Aaron Zigman // Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium
16. “Love Waltz” – Christian Henson // The Secret of Moonacre
17. “The Library” – Alan Menken // Beauty and the Beast
18. “Northanger Abbey” – Thematic Pianos // Most Agreeable – The Music of Great British Period Drama
19. “Dark Carnival” – Filtered Music // Trick or Treat: A Collection of Playfully Quirky Halloween Haunts
20. “Jacob Sees Marlena” – James Newton Howard, Matt Ward // Water for Elephants