Name the man who created and provided countless hours of enjoyment, entertainment and mind-stretching imagination to generations of children and adults over many decades and you will probably come up with Walt Disney. Disney Studios created Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald and Daisy Duck, Goofy, Pluto, and many other memorable characters through the years. Although it may not seem obvious, Disney was instrumental in bringing very memorable music to audiences and the nation as a whole.
Disney not only created many cartoon features but also produced award winning, full-length animated motion pictures. ”Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” produced in 1937, was his first full-length musical feature. Songs from the film: Someday My Prince will Come, I’m Wishing and It’s Off to Work We Go, became household tunes. During the next five years Disney Studios released “Pinocchio,” “ Fantasia,” “ Dumbo,” and the unforgettable, “Bambi.” All of these pictures featured exciting, wonderful music accompanying the action on the screen.
Any discussion of Walt Disney and music would be remiss without mention of the 1940 full-length animated musical, “Fantasia,” a very unusual and ground breaking production. This film was possibly the first exposure to the world of classical music for many thousands of children and adults. “Fantasia” featured musical greats: Toccata and Fugue in D minor by J.S. Bach; sections of The Nutcracker Suite by P. Tchaikovsky; Sorcerer’s Apprentice by P. Dukas; The Rite of Spring by I. Stravinsky; Symphony #6 (Pastoral) by L. Van Beethoven; Dance of the Hours by A. Ponchielli; A Night on Bald Mountain by M. Mussorgsky and Ave Maria by F. Schubert. “Fantasia” is considered one of the all time classics of musical animated film making and a great way for young children to hear classical music.
*Walt Disney actually introduced the song Brazil into the U.S. in August, 1941. Disney visited Brazil on a U.S. State Department Good Neighbor Policy mission. When he complained that his hotel’s band was playing only North American tunes, the pianist played Aquarela do Brasil. As Disney conceptualized the dapper Brazilian parrot “Ze Carioca,” he decided Aquarela do Brasil was the right song for this character. Disney included the song (later calling it Brazil) in his pro-South American propaganda cartoon, “Saludos Amigos.” Joe Carioca uses this song at the end of “Saludos Amigos” to teach Donald Duck how to dance the samba. Brazil became a Top Ten hit in the U.S. in 1943.
*Another South American song, Tico Tico, enjoyed mild success in dancing rooms of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro in the 20s and 30s. In 1943 it suddenly became an international hit when organist Ethel Smith played it in Walt Disney’s animated film “Saludos Amigos,” later reinforced by Carmen Miranda’s zestful rendition of the song in “Copacabana” in 1947.
Disney produced many other feature films that introduced unforgettable music to millions of movie goers. Among them are: “Mary Poppins,” “Aladdin,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Lion King,” “Toy Story,” “Winnie the Pooh” and “The Little Mermaid.” Popular tunes Chim Chimery, A Spoonful of Sugar and Supercalifragilistic all came from “Mary Poppins.” The forever favorite, When You Wish Upon a Star was from the enchanting “Pinocchio.”
Disney was also the brains behind his fantastic theme parks. In 1955, Disneyland Park opened in Anaheim California and is still one of the most popular attractions in the country. Music from Disneyland became part of the popular music fabric of the United States including, It’s A Small World and the famous Main Street Electrical Parade March.
Disney was born in Chicago on December 5, 1901. Due to his talent, business acumen and creative genius he had an extremely successful career as an entertainment entrepreneur. He died a multi-millionaire on December 15, 1966. During his lifetime Disney won many awards for his outstanding work, including 26 Academy Awards.
Disney World and Epcot in Orlando Florida were opened after Disney died. These world class attractions are much larger than Disneyland. The Disney magic was also exported to foreign countries where similar theme parks were created.
It is unlikely that another visionary like Walt Disney will come along soon. He was truly one of a kind and he left a wonderful legacy of films, television productions and theme parks for all of us to cherish and enjoy. The music from these productions is forever instilled in children and adults alike. Disney left us a legacy to last a lifetime.
For a delightful day, visit the Walt Disney Family Museum, 104 Montgomery Street, at the Presidio of San Francisco.
*Researcher and tuba player, Chuck Carroll, who plays with the Danville Community Band, suggested the idea of “Walt Disney” for this column. He also contributed the information about Brazil and Tico Tico.
Other Sources:
Midi files of Disney
JustDisney.com
Please submit your questions and comments to banddirector01@comcast.net
Visit our website at www.danvilleband.org for up-to-date information about the Danville
Community Band.
_______________________________##___________________
Leave a Reply