Classical Disney
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There are many great Orchestras in the world that perform popular music. Some of the most popular orchestras are the Boston Pops and the Cincinnati Pops. In this fine recording the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, under the direction of Erich Kunzel, bring us a delightful collection of great Disney melodies in a grand orchestral setting.

The selections include many famous movie themes such as, March of the Cards from Alice in Wonderland, When You Wish Upon A Star from Pinocchio, and Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? from The Three Little Pigs. On this CD are also many melodies from the popular Disney movies like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, The Jungle Book, and Mary Poppins.

The works in collection is very timeless and the arrangements are very delightful. Bruce Healey and the late Ken Whitcomb penned most of the arrangements in this collection. Mr. Witcomb was a long time Disney staff arranger who worked for the park and studios for many years. I had the chance to meet Mr. Whitcomb and play some of his music. He was a delight and will be missed in the music world. His arrangements and use of orchestration is truly a Disney sound and one that will live on for many years.

The CD opens with the sounds of When You Wish Upon A Star from Pinocchio. This stirring rendition was arranged by Carmen Dragon, and evokes a grand sense of Disney emotions. The feel and use of orchestral colors is truly a piece of mastery. The performance of this piece is one of my favorites and brings back many memories walking through Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland. The resolution of the piece brings little goose bumps and almost a tear to my eye.

The second track is a cute version of It’s A Small World, a song known throughout the world as an anthem for children and the popular theme song for the Disney attraction. With words and music by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, the timeless melody and lyrics come alive with the help of the Indiana School of Music Singing Hoosiers, May Festival Chorus, and The School for Creative and Performing Arts Children's Chorus. A wonderful and delightful version that would make even the grumpiest person break out a smile.

There are numerous medleys on this collection, but one that caught my ear was the medley from The Jungle Book. With songs like I Wan’na Be Like You, Trust In Me, Colonel Hathi’s March, That’s What Friends Are For, and The Bare Necessities, the palate for The Jungle Book is well represented. That’s What Friends Are For, features His Master’s Voice, A Barbershop Quartet, which lends a great sound to this unique arrangement. The last song in the medley couldn’t be anything but “he Bare Necessities. The classic tune is turned into a big band shout chorus and ends with a grand Disney Finish.

Track eleven features a very popular song however most Disney fans are not sure of it’s real name. But we know almost all of you can sing the tune itself. The theme from the Main Street Electrical Parade, Baroque Hoedown, which ran throughout Disneyland and Walt Disney World for over 25 Years is represented. The Music by Gershan Kingsley and Jean Jaques Perrey leaves a lasting impression in everyone’s mind when they view this parade. The arrangement by Ken Whitcomb is a delightful and witty version utilizing all members of the orchestra. This classic version in true howdown style is a nice, non-synthesized version of the classic melody.

The final medley of this collection is a true Disney history lesson. The music evolves from many of the Disney classics including Lady and the Tramp, Peter Pan, Pinocchio, Cinderella, Dumbo, and Bambi. The classic medley is a cacophony of Disney sounds and emotions that are still present even to this day. The orchestration is superb and the orchestra is stylistically impeccable. The last melody of the medley is oddly enough the first track of the CD itself. However it is very fitting to finish with the first Academy Award winning song from Disney, When You Wish Upon A Star.

When you hear the sounds of a Disney Melody form a Disney Movie, your senses perk up, and you have an instant flashback into the time where you first heard that melody. This collection by Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra is a truly must have for any Disney enthusiast. The way the orchestra handles these delicate melodies and the care given to each musical moment is what makes the Cincinnati Pops one of the premier orchestras in the country.