It's The Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown (soundtrack)

''It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown: Original Soundtrack Recording'' is a soundtrack album by American jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi released on March 21, 2025, in the U.S. by Lee Mendelson Film Productions. It is the soundtrack to the Easter-themed television special of the same name first broadcast on CBS on April 9, 1974.

Background

Following the passing of producer Lee Mendelson in December 2019, his children undertook an extensive search of archival materials in hopes of locating original music score recordings from the ''Peanuts'' television specials. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, they uncovered a collection of analog session tapes, recorded by Guaraldi for several of the specials. These recordings, long believed to be lost, comprised not only all of Guaraldi's music cues but also the arrangements by John Scott Trotter, including multiple alternate takes.

The session tapes preserve the complete, unedited recordings, which were originally captured and mixed in stereo. These analog recordings were carefully transferred by Penguin Recordings to high-resolution digital format at 192 kHz/24-bit from the original 2-inch, 16-track stereo masters.

Recording

The music for ''It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown'' was recorded at Wally Heider Studios in San Francisco on January 30 and March 1, 1974. The sessions featured Vince Guaraldi on acoustic piano, electric keyboards (including the Fender Rhodes), harpsichord, and guitar, with Seward McCain on electric bass, Robert Claire on flute, and drummers Glenn Cronkhite and Eliot Zigmund.

The process followed Guaraldi's established practice, writing basic outlines of each theme in advance and then developing them in the studio. Although the cues were timed to match the animation using click tracks or visual markers, the internal structure remained loose, allowing for improvisation and expressive phrasing.

At this stage in his career, Guaraldi was still widely recognized as the musical voice of ''Peanuts'', but his presence in the broader jazz world had declined. The vibrant club circuit that once supported his career had faded, and he had not released a new album since ''Alma-Ville'' in 1969. Although he continued recording, industry disinterest and contractual limitations prevented much of this material from being released. In early 1974, Guaraldi began performing more frequently with acoustic instruments, and encouraged McCain to reacquire an upright bass. This shift indicated a renewed interest in smaller, more intimate performances that offered greater musical freedom than network television scoring.

The ''Easter Beagle'' score reflects Guaraldi's mature voice as a composer, blending West Coast jazz with European classical tradition and impressionistic harmony. One hallmark of his style was the creative reworking of classical repertoire. Ludwig van Beethoven's " Piano Sonata No. 3 in C Major" appears in a straightforward interpretation, consistent with Schroeder's devotion to the composer. In contrast, the second movement of Beethoven's "Symphony No. 7" is arranged in a Latin jazz style, incorporating syncopated rhythms and new harmonic textures while retaining the original melody. Later in the special, the symphony's first movement appears in a more traditional form, demonstrating Guaraldi's respect for classical structure alongside his interest in stylistic reinterpretation.

Johann Sebastian Bach also features in the score. During a mall scene where Snoopy dances with Peppermint Patty and Marcie, Guaraldi presents the " Minuet in G Major" as a delicate, music box-style cue. High-register piano, soft dynamics, and gentle harmonic pacing create a whimsical and dreamlike atmosphere. These classical references are not used simply for effect, but instead add emotional depth and contrast to the animation.

Among Guaraldi's original compositions, "Easter Theme" is especially noteworthy. Written for jazz trio with flute obbligato, it combines classical melodic phrasing and harmonic sequencing with Guaraldi's signature jazz inflections. Robert Claire's flute adds a light, chamber-like tone, typical of the hybrid textures found in Guaraldi's later scores.

Guaraldi also reimagines earlier ''Peanuts'' themes, particularly "Linus and Lucy". In this special, he presents the theme's A-section and bridge in separate cues rather than as a complete performance. The A-section appears in a swing arrangement featuring brushed drums, while the bridge is explored in a Latin-inspired variation with added hand percussion. A third version casts the theme as a subdued ballad, emphasizing suspended chords and modal color. These reinterpretations demonstrate Guaraldi's interest in deconstructing and reassembling familiar material, a process akin to classical thematic variation, where core melodic ideas are reshaped across differing rhythmic and harmonic frameworks.

By 1974, Guaraldi had grown more comfortable on the guitar and began to feature it more in his ensemble work. His guitar parts include rhythmic comping and understated fills that complement his piano playing. One of the clearest examples is the cue "Snoopy and Woodstock", a reimagined version of the "Mystery Theme" from ''It's a Mystery, Charlie Brown''. Here, Guaraldi uses a more forceful guitar tone and sharper rhythmic phrasing, giving the piece a rock-influenced feel while maintaining its melodic identity. (A short reprise of this cue, heard when Snoopy presents Woodstock with a new birdhouse, is not included on the album.)

A central leitmotif, later titled "Woodstock's Dream", appears throughout the special. Built on a chord progression emphasizing subtonic and subdominant harmonies, the theme is simple, symmetrical, and adaptable. Its recurrence helps unify the score and highlights Guaraldi's strength in creating modular, scene-flexible motifs.

Other cues highlight Guaraldi's stylistic variety. In scenes featuring Peppermint Patty's kitchen, he employs a stripped-down variation of her theme, a relaxed twelve-bar blues, and a jazz waltz in meter driven by rhythmic displacement. These shifts in style support the story's mood and reflect Guaraldi's fluency in diverse jazz idioms.

"Woodstock Medley", studio reunion

The final track, "Woodstock Medley", was recorded in 2021 after the Mendelson family rediscovered Guaraldi's ''Peanuts'' session tapes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pianist David Benoit, a longtime interpreter of Guaraldi's music, assembled a medley that draws on themes from ''A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving'', ''You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown'' and ''Easter Beagle''.

The session took place at Hyde Street Studios in San Francisco, the modern successor to Wally Heider Studios. Benoit was joined by bassist Seward McCain and drummer Mike Clark. This marked their first session together since the original Thanksgiving recording nearly fifty years earlier. Sean Mendelson, son of producer Lee Mendelson, described the event as a lifelong dream fulfilled, uniting members of his father's creative circle in a contemporary setting.

Benoit's arrangement incorporates melodic layering, counterpoint, and thematic development to shape Guaraldi's cues into a cohesive musical arc. While the medley preserves the original harmonic language and melodic identity, it also introduces a fresh, modern sensibility. A later orchestral adaptation further illustrates the enduring strength and versatility of Guaraldi's compositions.

Release

''It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown: Original Soundtrack Recording Peanuts 75th Anniversary Edition'' was released on March 21, 2025, in CD, vinyl, and digital download formats as part of the ''Peanuts'' 75th anniversary. A Record Store Day exclusive edition, ''Selections from the Original Soundtrack: It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown'', was released on April 12, 2025. The 10-inch die-cut Easter egg-shaped vinyl was foil-stamped, numbered, and features eight selected tracks in five randomly distributed mystery colors.

To minimize environmental impact, the 12" 45rpm vinyl were manufactured using BioVinyl, which replaces petroleum-based components in S-PVC with recycled cooking oil or industrial waste, eliminating CO₂ emissions without compromising audio or visual fidelity. The 10" Easter egg-shaped vinyl employed a bio-attributed process, resulting in a 90 per cent reduction in carbon emissions compared to standard records.

Critical reception

''It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown: Original Soundtrack Recording Peanuts 75th Anniversary Edition'' received favorable reviews from jazz and audio-focused publications, which praised its archival significance, fidelity, and Guaraldi's musical versatility.

''All About Jazz'' described the release as "a well-curated and lovingly restored ''Peanuts'' gem", noting the breadth of Guaraldi's style across the score. Reviewer Joshua Weiner highlighted the track "Woodstock’s Pad" as "an electric harpsichord-driven soul groove that wouldn't be out of place in a blaxploitation film", and identified "Snoopy and Woodstock" as "a funk piece spotlighting Guaraldi's fuzz guitar". The review called the "Woodstock Medley" "a tasteful, heartfelt tribute". ''Audiophile Audition'' emphasized the album's sonic clarity, stating, "The recording has exceptional clarity, with precise stereo imaging and a nicely balanced mix". Reviewer Robbie Gerson described the music as "a compelling mix of jazz, pop, and classical motifs", and cited "Peppermint Patty" as "a buoyant, finger-snapping opener" that sets the tone for the album. ''Secrets of Home Theatre and High Fidelity'' called the release "a joyful, smartly assembled entry in the expanding Guaraldi/''Peanuts'' discography", and praised the inclusion of classical adaptations. The review observed that the jazz rendition of Beethoven's "Symphony No. 7" "transforms a familiar orchestral piece into something playful and rhythmically fresh". The publication also noted the creativity behind the 10-inch, Easter egg-shaped vinyl edition released for Record Store Day, describing it as "a collector's item that reflects both nostalgia and novelty". ''Sandbox World'' highlighted the album's significance as the first full release of the soundtrack. The review emphasized the meticulous restoration of the original recordings and praised the inclusion of previously unreleased tracks, noting that "fans will appreciate the attention to detail and the opportunity to experience Guaraldi's compositions in their full glory."

''Jazzwise'' praised the recording's sound quality and Guaraldi's melodic sensibility, calling the release "another vivid example of Guaraldi's gift for melodic invention". However, the review also noted that one of the drawbacks is the brevity of many of the cues, adding that some tracks end abruptly or feel incomplete when divorced from the animation they originally accompanied.

Legacy

''It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown'' premiered on April 9, 1974, and its newly restored soundtrack (issued half a century later) offered a comprehensive sonic document of Guaraldi's late-period style. The score exemplified his characteristic fusion of jazz improvisation, classical quotation, and narrative sensitivity.

Track listing

All tracks written by Vince Guaraldi, except where noted.

''It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown: Original Soundtrack Recording'' 

''Selections from the Original Soundtrack: It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown'' 

Personnel

1974 personnel

;Vince Guaraldi Quartet:
*Vince Guaraldi – acoustic piano, electric keyboards, harpsichord, guitars
*Seward McCain – bass guitar
*Robert Claire – flute
*Glenn Cronkhite, Eliot Zigmund – drums
;Additional:
*John Scott Trotter – music supervisor

2021 personnel

"Woodstock Medley" (track 20), recorded at Hyde Street Studios, November 16, 2021
* David Benoit – acoustic piano
*Seward McCain – electric bass, flute
* Mike Clark – drums

2025 release personnel

*Sean Mendelson – producer, liner notes
*Jason Mendelson – producer, liner notes
*Vinson Hudson – restoration and mastering
*Clark Germain – mixing engineer
*Eric Glauser – mixing engineer (20)
*Megan Rible – layout art
*Derrick Bang – liner notes
*John Strother (Penguin Recording) – tape archiving

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown (soundtrack)
San Francisco Bay Area
Albums arranged by Vince Guaraldi
Vince Guaraldi soundtracks
Cool jazz soundtracks
Mainstream jazz soundtracks
Peanuts music
Television animation soundtracks
Soundtracks published posthumously