This was the first performance of Bolero under Maestro Celibidache. I was the principal bassoonist. Celibidache did not allow any dress rehearsal with the recording team. It was a Sunday morning at 11 a.m. We started playing and the recording team individually added a spot-light onto each soloist. When I started my solo, the spotlight was in my eyes and I could not see the conductor any more; this was totally unexpected since there was no dress rehearsal. This and many other stories and events are in my book, 17 years as principal bassoonist under principal conductor Sergiu Celibidache. The book, only in Japanese, is sold out. I can send a copy of the original manuscript, which was in English. I have send it world-wide on request. It was a wonderful time and experience under Maestro Celibidache and quite different than one would imagine. Friedrich Edelmann
Steve Nieve & The Playboys, Steve played keyboard for Elvis Costello, Pete Thomas was on drums, The guitarist was Kevin Armstrong and the bass player (who looked a bit like Tom Jones) was Steve Lawrence. Great days!!
Schade, daß es die Tschaikowsky-Symphonie mit BSO nicht vollständig gibt! Ich finde diese Version (jedenfalls was hier zu hören ist) noch besser als die DG-Auskopplung aus demselben Jahr mit NYP!
That was a great show 👏 love the cover tunes 💯 I also have preformed the same ones many times 🎶 I'm surprised this hasn't been shared as much? Excellent band 💯 Rock on ArtyThan ☆♡☆
Je suis d'accord avec vous : c'est juste un enregistrement vidéo VHS des années 80 du siècle dernier. L'enregistrement est également disponible à l'achat sur DVD, ce qui est nettement mieux. ;-)
Many conductors start Bolero too fast, not allowing enough room for the increase in pace and momentum that the piece requires to be truly dramatic. However, Celibidache paces the piece perfectly. He starts at a deliberate, languid pace, slowly building, building, building to the great finish. Gustavo Dudamel provides similarly-paced direction in a modern production with superior modern recording.
Bernstein's first performance of this work can be found online in a broadcast of his first performance as music director of the New York City Symphony, back in 1945.
