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A key aspect of the success of Disney’s theme parks is the warm and inviting atmosphere; the lands and attractions just feel right. A big reason for that appropriate mood is the choice of music to support those experiences. Background music fills in the gaps and helps to build a story. You can’t think of many classic attractions without considering their songs. Brett Nachman of the Notably Disney podcast is an expert on that incredible music.
This episode of The Tomorrow Society Podcast is all about the composers of the music that makes Disneyland and Walt Disney World shine. Brett joins me to focus on the amazing work of these artists. He covers music closely on his show and has interviewed prominent Disney composers, authors, and more. He’s the perfect guest to help spotlight theme park music.
On this show, Brett and I draft five composers each to build our teams. It’s really just a fun way to talk about great music. Some of our choices are expected greats like The Sherman Brothers, while others are lesser-known composers like Edo Guidotti. My hope is that this episode will help inspire you to dig further into these composers’ work in the future. Their careers go well beyond the work for Disney’s attractions.
Learn More About Disney Parks Music and Composers
I won’t spoil which make our lists, but I’ve included a list of everyone mentioned on the podcast so you can check out their work: Buddy Baker, Richard Bellis, Bruce Broughton, George Bruns, John Debney, Simon Franglen, Gavin Greenaway, Jerry Goldsmith, Edo Guidotti, Don Harper, James Horner, Robert Moline, Paul Leonard-Morgan, The Sherman Brothers, Pinar Toprak, and George Wilkins.
A Quick Guide to Soundtracks of the Parks
These official Disney soundtracks are a great starting point for checking out music from the parks. Some are out of print and quite expensive, but they’re still worth checking out for the right price:
- The Music of Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and EPCOT Center (lots of classic songs from EPCOT Center)
- A Musical History of Disneyland (created for the 50th anniversary and extremely pricey right now)
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Soundtrack (one of the most relaxing collections of parks music you will find)
- Illuminations: Reflections of Earth and Tapestry of Dreams CD (reasonably priced; plays constantly at my house)
- Pandora: The World of Avatar Soundtrack (available as a digital copy with beautiful music from James Horner and Simon Franglen)
- Walt Disney World Official Album (2013 edition with most of the current attractions at the parks)
- The Music from Rivers of Light and Tree of Life Awakenings (even if you aren’t a big fan of Rivers of Light, it’s worth it for the other tracks)
Show Notes: Brett Nachman
Listen to the latest episodes of Notably Disney through Apple Podcasts.
Follow Brett Nachman on Twitter at @bnachmanreports.
Catch up with Tomorrow Society Podcast episodes with composers Bruce Broughton, Paul Leonard-Morgan, and Mark Mancina.
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