Serious Discussion about Disney Film Scores

[Disney Cat]

Let's hear it -- let's talk Disney music. Not just the songs, but the scores. And not just the animated features, but the live action films as well. I want to share two of my passions: Disney and film scores. So, let's hear from you all!

I am a film score FANATIC!! Not just Disney, but ALL film scores. However, as this is a DISNEY forum, I will stick to Disney film scores.

I have every Disney score I can get my hands on. I try to purchase them before the film is released so that I am familiar with the score going into the film.

BLACK CAULDRON: by maestro Elmer Bernstein. This soundtrack is a rarity and many Disney fans do not even know it is out there. It is out of print now, and has been for some time. Very somber score. Paid through the nose for it, worth every penny.

THE ADVENTURES OF THE GREAT MOUSE DETECTIVE: Henry Mancini. I enjoy this movie and it's score. Vincent Price sings! A solid score.

SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS: Frank Churchill/Larry Morey. It was the first real soundtrack album ever. Prior to this, no one had taken the actual soundtrack from a film and transferred it to disc. "One Heart" is my personal favourite in this score.

POCAHONTAS: Steven Schwartz, Alan Menken. Bought this one before the movie was released. I knew that the ending would be wrenching when I heard the 'Farewell' track. Also, IMHO, 'If I Never Knew You' is the greatest Disney love song every written.

MULAN: Jerry Goldsmith. The genius chameleon composer. Lovely score. Took time out of his schedule to compose the score for "Soarin' over California" ("Soarin'" at WDW) and you all know how much we looooove that!

TOY STORY TRILOGY: Randy Newman (Thomas' cousin). Randy does his family name proud with these scores. There are rich and emotional. I really enjoy his 'western' theme in Toy Story 2. All three scores are complex and well-written. While we're on the subject of Randy Newman...

THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG: Randy Newman. Many film scores have one theme re-orchestrated over and over again. This score incorporates the sounds of Jazz, Zydeco, Blues and Gospel. Wow!

FINDING NEMO & WALL-E: Thomas Newman (Randy's cousin). Thomas Newman's signature style stands out. Animated film scores are often more complex... and underrated.

TRON: Wendy Carlos. An exemplary blending of synth and orchestral music. (She also scored 'A Clockwork Orange' and 'The Shining' for Kubrick). Born Walter Carlos. TRON LEGACY by Daft Punk is good, too.

NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS: Danny Elfman. Another innovative composer and a score I must listen to every Halloween season.

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN TRILOGY: Klaus Badelt and Hans Zimmer. Ok, I am going to step on a lot of toes, but Hans Zimmer is not one of my favourite composers (he kinda 'phones it in'). However, 'Jack Sparrow's Theme' is well done (some discussion if it was written by Klaus or Hans) and synonymous with Johnny Depp in the title role. I also really like the string sections in PotC II ('Jack Sparrow' & 'Wheel of Fortune') and the Elizabeth & Will Love Theme (used in 'At Wit's End ' and 'One Day') in PotC III. Looking forward to Hans' score for PotC IV.

This is just a short list. I also am impressed with many of the composers who have worked / are working with Disney: Michael Giacchino ('UP'), Richard & Robert Sherman ('Mary Poppins' and so many more), Geroge Bruns ('The Jungle Book'), Willian Alwyn ('Swiss Family Robinson')...the list goes on....and so could I!

A final note: Hollywood film scoring dynasty: Alfred Newman (20th Century-Fox Studios fanfare), played a major part in creating the tradition of composing original music for films. Alfred's bothers, Lionel and Emil, have scored between them, over 100 films. His sons, Thomas & David are both film composers. His daughter, Maria, is an eminent musician and composer. Alfred's nephew, Randy Newman is a two-time Academy Award winning film composer. Alfred's grandnephew Joey Newman has scored many TV series, films, and video games.

Alfred Newman won a total of nine Academy Awards; the second most Oscars ever won by an individual -- second to Walt Disney, who won twenty-six.

Did I mention that besides being a Disney fanatic, I am a film score fanatic? I'm just sayin'...

 

[TheDisWiz]

Oh man, you totally missed my ultimate favorite: The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Stephen Schwartz best thing he's ever done... Maybe even better than Wicked.

I remember Thomas Newman actually coming in and discussing his work on Wall-E and Finding Nemo in a class I took a few years back on film scoring. He was a really cool and down-to-earth guy.

 

[themermaidgirl]

No Alan Menken???
Him and Howard Ashman... without them, I don't know where Disney would be today when it comes to Disney musicals. They truly brought it back! TLM, BatB, Aladdin (partial - along with Tim Rice following Ashman's death)

And who can beat the score for The Lion King as well. The end of 'The King of Pride Rock' makes me well up, even when blaring it on my iPod on our public transit system. Needless to say, sometimes I get weird looks lol

 

[Disney Cat]

Oh man, you totally missed my ultimate favorite: The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Stephen Schwartz best thing he's ever done... Maybe even better than Wicked.

I remember Thomas Newman actually coming in and discussing his work on Wall-E and Finding Nemo in a class I took a few years back on film scoring. He was a really cool and down-to-earth guy.

I nearly included HoND, but as much as I enjoy the score and think the movie is a classic, I find that the score does not (for me) stand alone. That is, I have a hard time just listening to the score on its own. Let me clarify: I am talking about the instrument music, not the songs (with words). The songs are great! The score really enhances the movie, but it is not one of my favourites.

However, I am pleased that you like it! It is a fine score!

 

[Disney Cat]

No Alan Menken???
Him and Howard Ashman... without them, I don't know where Disney would be today when it comes to Disney musicals. They truly brought it back! TLM, BatB, Aladdin (partial - along with Tim Rice following Ashman's death)

And who can beat the score for The Lion King as well. The end of 'The King of Pride Rock' makes me well up, even when blaring it on my iPod on our public transit system. Needless to say, sometimes I get weird looks lol

I did include Alan Menkin's score for Pocahontas. I think that the brilliance of the Menken/Ashman collaboration cannot be understated and the musical world lost a genius lyricist when Howard Ashman died.

However...

I was focusing on the composition of the score...the background music or incidental music. We can all sing along with 'The Little Mermaid' and 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Aladdin' -- myself included, but how many of us listen to the instrumental score?

BTW, I agree that 'The Lion King' is a great score -- some of the cues are downright moving. I am glad that you like it. Honestly, I could have added more titles, but my original post was getting rather long and I was afraid no one would read it or comment!