Disney Musical Analysis

Music is a unique part of human beings.  Music can be used to create peace harmony and even fun (Deutsch, 2013). The Disney performance that took place in Kings theater on Flatbush Ave Brooklyn proves just how powerful and fun music and performance can be. The ‘Circle of Life’ was used as a soundtrack during the presentation and, originally performed by Elton John. It presents a spiritual slant on our life journey. The soundtrack appeals to our thoughts by opening our cognizance to the unlimited potentials, resulting from the steady rhythm that sends us into an imaginative state and through the calming and insightful resonances of the flute creating a mood where the listener can overcome misfortune.

The african ancestral incantation in the begining instantly communicates spirituality’s relationship with exoticism and as in Lim’s extract, we seek new places to gain a greater understanding of ourselves. In the first part, The lyrics begin with an increasing crescendo that is uplifting followed by the truism that not all conceivable opportunities can be taken. This then is shadowed by the moralistic message that Life is short so do not misuse it. The second stanza differenciates the encompassing ‘all are agreed’ with the ‘some say’ beginning the previous two lines stating the message that ‘you should never take more than you give’ with widespread audiences. Again the thought is tangled in the inner expedition as the chorus calls for a ‘Leap of Faith’ and ‘band of hope.’ Reiteration and word assignment of the phrase ‘circle of life’ in the first and last lines of the stanza stresses the endurance of life. These ideas are harmonized with the combination of drums in the background adding energy to the expedition by creating the pace. The next stanza maked through the flute encouraging us to take and make best of things, inspite of the difficulties we may meet. 

The last stanza suggests the fact that imagination means opportunities are unlimited. Though the imagination may be intangible, every opportunity counts as we are searching for self-improvement. The increase in volume towards the ends with drum which is about hope leaving us with hope a forward movement and the joy of being `blessed and altered’ is evident in the vitality of the beat

The tempo used in the soundtrack is 90 BPM. The music instruments that are made use of in the song are a small woodwind, piano, vocals, and percussion. The music starts with very powerful vocals which grab your attention and pull it towards the stage and on what is about to happen. The vocals then turn to harmonies from the choir of performers. Over that, the vocals begin a slow repeat as a low deep drum is added to the mix. The song starts to build, the piano then comes in, and the energy and vibe within the music grows too. The music comes to a calm suddenly as the small woodwind plays off a soft sort of lullaby type sound. Then the best moment of the performance arrives when all the music comes back in abruptly. The moment gave me a victorious feeling accompanied with a hopeful vibe. The use of all of these instruments and the excellent timing gives this song life and brings the audience to another world. The whole performance owes its magical and ephemeral quality to the music alone, since the music is what sets the tone for the rest of the presentation. The music was responsible for all my excitement, and it served to lay the groundwork for what is to come.

References

Deutsch, D. (Ed.). (2013). Psychology of music. Elsevier.