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Schroeder 'Played' Real Beethoven

Schulz's love of classical music came through in comic

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 14, 2009 5:39 AM CST
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(Newser) – The written notes that rose over Schroeder's piano weren't just doodles, scholars studying Peanuts tell the New York Times. Charles Schulz loved classical music as much as his Beethoven-obsessed character and carefully transcribed notes from real Beethoven scores to provide a soundtrack for every comic strip in which Schroeder was seen pounding away at the keys.

"The music is a character in the strip as much as the people are, because the music sets the tone," said one professor who painstakingly identified the compositions and gathered the comic strips for an exhibition at Santa Rosa's Charles M. Schulz Museum. Schulz made accuracy a hallmark of his comic strips and carefully studied everything from figure skating to medical conditions to ensure authenticity, notes the museum's curator.

Cartoonist Charles Schulz draws a picture of his cartoon character Charlie Brown in his Sebastopol, Calif. home in this 1966 file photo.
Cartoonist Charles Schulz draws a picture of his cartoon character Charlie Brown in his Sebastopol, Calif. home in this 1966 file photo.   (AP Photo/File)
Charles Schulz made Schroeder a Beethoven-obsessed pianist, although the cartoonist's personal favorite was Brahms.
Charles Schulz made Schroeder a Beethoven-obsessed pianist, although the cartoonist's personal favorite was Brahms.   (The21stCenturyFox)
The Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center has organized an exhibition highlighting Schulz's use of classical music in his comic strips.
The Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center has organized an exhibition highlighting Schulz's use of classical music in his comic strips.   (VanishedOne)
Charles Schulz carefully transcribed notes from real compositions to accompany his Schroeder character's piano playing.
Charles Schulz carefully transcribed notes from real compositions to accompany his Schroeder character's piano playing.   (MissSapphireGirl)
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