Disney has just released a behind-the-scenes look at creating the music of "Luminous The Symphony of Us," opening December 5, 2023 at EPCOT.
Disney says, "Much like a beautiful piece of music, 'Luminous The Symphony of Us' is made up of a series of movements, each representing life experiences that we have in common, showing us that we're more alike than we are different. Punctuating these movements are two original songs written just for the spectacular, as well as new arrangements of carefully selected Disney songs we all know and love."
The team at Disney Live Entertainment has worked with Pinar Toprak on the show’s score. Among the choir of voices lending their vocal talents to the score are singer/songwriter Sheléa and Katharine McPhee.
Disney Live Entertainment Creative Director Steven Davison said, "It's a lot about what Epcot is about. And a lot of it's done through music. We've been in London, we've been in Scotland. We've been in Nashville and in Orlando and really bringing all those voices together in a fun fun way."
At the start of the show, World Showcase comes to life as we hear voices from each pavilion welcoming us to this great gathering. With the tap of a conductor's baton, our first movement begins with the original song, "Heartbeat Symphony."
With the stage set, the symphony takes us to the tender love of parenthood, highlighting childhood moments where each of our journeys began and featuring a stirring, multilingual arrangement of "You'll Be in My Heart." The symphony then transitions to "Proud Corazón" as we find our voice in a movement dedicated to the bonds of family. Friendship follows, with classic songs like "You've Got a Friend in Me" and "Friend Like Me" taking us back to the days of recess and friendship bracelets.
Set to a sweeping arrangement of "So Close," the romance movement celebrates the moments when we find someone with whom our melody blends.
Inevitably in life, we experience the quiet loneliness of loss, but as "When She Loved Me" and "Remember Me" bring us "Into the Unknown," the echoes of those around us remind us that we're never truly alone. As we come out of the darkness, the music crescendos to "I See the Light" from "Tangled," launching us into the finale – and the second original song, entitled "Beating of our Hearts" – where we all come together as one and find our place in the great symphony of life.
Watch the video below (YouTube) for this behind-the-scenes look at some of the music recording sessions for "Luminous The Symphony of Us," including a sneak preview of the original song, "Heartbeat Symphony."
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