Original IllumiNation Program

[danzezenski]

REPOSTED - Can anyone tell me if the original IllumiNations program (Jan. 1988 - Sept. 1996) is available or has ever been available on CD? I am looking specifically for the version that highlighted each country with distinctive music and climaxed with the 1812 Overture. (I have attached the transcript for the program)

Any information regarding this program's availability would be greatly appreciated. If anyone knows where I can get a copy, if available, that would be very much appreciated.

Thanks!

Also, how many think that was by far the best IllumiNations program yet?

 

[MCMike37]

Count me in too if someone has a good recording of it, the one major piece of Disney Audio I am still missing for my collection...

 

[wdwmagic]

While I love the original Illum, I believe Reflections of Earth is superior in every way. The score is breathtaking, and combined with the visuals... WOW

 

[MCMike37]

Originally posted by wdwmagic
While I love the original Illum, I believe Reflections of Earth is superior in every way. The score is breathtaking, and combined with the visuals... WOW

Well, I do agree actually, I am a little torn, especially since I can't stop listening to the Reflections of Earth soundtrack. But the old one has a special spot in my heart since I say it for so many years and really liked the way they focused on each country and the such. I just wish they could combine the two (I think the globe sequence in RoE is way too long)

Oh well, times are a changing....

 

[markymark]

I have to say the first time I saw the original Illuminations, I really was overcome with just how good it was, the fact it was all around you was something I'll never forget.

When I heard that it had been updated, I was a little sceptical..... until I saw it! I think it is the most awesome thing I have seen.

So there you go! for me it's RoE!

 

[Ariel]

I'd have to go with the original. Although I find ROE really wonderful, there was just something about the original that I loved and it will always be my favorite.

 

[danzezenski]

Kudos to you original Illuminations lovers!!

I too agree that while the SHOW is spectacular in RoE, (I especially was blown away by the fire effects) the music has something to be desired. The globe is way too long and I do not care for the "generic" song included at the end.

The original Illuminations was filled with the classics and highlighting each country was also a classy idea. The use of lasers filling the sky was breathtaking as well. IMHO

I must confess though; that program was the first I saw and after visiting WDW three more times, was immediately disappointed the last time when the original program was replaced. I understood that they wanted to do something special for the millennium but I still longed for that which I had seen numerous times before. That is why I would really love to find the score for that program. I would bring back so many memories. Plus, it is so much more spectacular than RoE. But, I said that already!!

Please, again, let me know if anyone had info regarding the music from the original program. Thanks for the posts.

 

[wdwmagic]

Re: Kudos to you original Illuminations lovers!!

Originally posted by danzezenski
The globe is way too long and I do not care for the "generic" song included at the end.

What do u mean by generic?

The end song - "We Go On" - was custom written for the show. Lyrics by Don Dorsey, performed by Kellie Coffey. Music by Gavin Greenaway - all specifically written and recorded for RoE.

 

[MCMike37]

Re: Kudos to you original Illuminations lovers!!

Originally posted by danzezenski
Please, again, let me know if anyone had info regarding the music from the original program.

I actually do have the entire list of songs that were included in it (Somewhere, the official one that the Disney Company sent me way back when) As I recall they were somewhat in order of how they were in the show...if you want I could dig and find it and type it all up for ya...

 

[danzezenski]

Generic is as generic SOUNDS

I would never imply that Disney merely "swiped" some song and threw it into the show. By generic I mean, well, not up to Disney standards. Yes, it is nice in a "let's throw in a woman singing a song" kinda way, but compared to the classics and arrrangement of the original it was just a let down to me. I am sure many participating in this forum like, if not, love that song. Please, I do not mean to offend anyone. It is just that I personally didn't feel that song was up to Disney standards. It felt contrived like someone just added it to the show instead of really thinking about it and taking their time with it. Again, I am comparing RoE to the original with classical music woven around a central theme. To me it was brillant!!

MCMike, I have the transcript to the show. (I even attached it to the original post) Thanks for offering to type me up a copy. I just would love to get a hold of the original music. That would mean a lot to me and my family.

Thanks all for your comments. I enjoy them!

 

[MCMike37]

Re: Generic is as generic SOUNDS

Originally posted by danzezenski
(I even attached it to the original post)

DOH!

Trust me, I have been searching for 2 years for a good copy of the music...I know your pain...

 

[Grant]

Song list

The song list for all the music from the old show is actually on this site courtesy of Steve:

http://www.wdwmagicmedia.com/music.htm

Still searching for a definitive recording though...

 

[Grant]

I found a site with a full realplayer recording of the original Illuminations - unfortunately, it sounds very tinny and weak so would require quite a bit of processing to get it sounding half decent...

If anybody's interested ?

 

[wdwmagic]

I have good news on the search for the original Illum audio. Stay tuned here for a studio master version.

 

[MCMike37]

Originally posted by wdwmagic
I have good news on the search for the original Illum audio. Stay tuned here for a studio master version.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHH yeah

Kickass....

 

[danzezenski]

STUDIO MASTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That would be awesome. Do tell when you get the word.

 

[Tink]

I have the music on one of my parks CDs for Illuminations - complete with the introduction from each country. I don't think the CD is available anymore though. Once I find it...I'll tell you the details on the CD.

I voted RoE too. Sure, the classical music of Illuminations was perfect - the music has stood the test of time and is truly great with or without fireworks. I think that for the RoE, though, Disney was looking ahead not to the past and so they chose to use something original. At first, I, too, missed the old familiar music, which I used to listen to in the car and would still if only I could find the CD, and thought that the new song at the end was a little too much like "My Heart Will Go On" to be a coincidence. But now I get goosebumps/teary eyed when I hear the RoE music, even the last song. Ok, I'll admit it! Sometimes the dang music makes me cry! ::SOB::

 

[nicoleb]

Illuminations

Oh that would be great. I have been searching for it fo a long time. Thank you so much.

 

[MickeyMoose15]

I much as I liked the original, you can't beat Illuminations: Reflections of Earth. The music, the fireworks, and all the pyrotechnics are the best in any Disney night time show.