Bolero

[redlover1]

Nicole,

I was just reading on Eric's MB about Bolero and you stated "it blows" without explaining why it blows. Since you are a classically trained musician and a connoisseur of classical music, can you tell me why this song is not to your liking? Or is it simply personal preference and simply not your style of music?

Inquiring minds want to know

Devin

[OperaTenor]

Hi Devin, you see "It Blows" is actually a highly technical, sophisticated musical term, and will take quite a long treatise to explain all of the ramifications of the term and its usage. Its most common usage is in the context of a certain piece of music's failing to appease the listener or performer for a number of reasons: 1) I heard it, and it blows. The piece was poorly composed, and did not meet the musical expectations of the listener. 2) I played it, and it blows. The piece was poorly composed and failed to meet the musical expectations of the performer. 3) It blows, no matter how you look at it. The piece was poorly performed, failing to meet the musical expectations of either the listener(s) and/or the performer(s). 4) The conductor blows. The conductor was a complete idiot. 5) The orchestra blows. The orchestra decided en masse to take a mental siesta instead of playing the music in front of them. 6) This recording blows. The recording was made using "two paper cups and a string" technology. 7) The singing blows. The hearing aids the singers were wearing should have been a dead giveaway (wait, Borello doesn't have singers). The theme blows. The same theme, repeated incessantly for 18 minutes, does not in fact make it any better.


Don't ask me where this stuff comes from, I just type it.

<small>[ 08-11-2003, 02:17 PM: Message edited by: operatenor ]</small>

[Nicole Marie]

Thanks OT! You said it best.

It blows because it's the same phrase over and over and over and over and over and over and over (I think you get the idea). This phrase is then built on a very long crescendo over the length of the piece. It's not very exciting to play (as a musician) and it's not very exciting to listen to (my point of view). I'd rather listen to nails across a blackboard.

[Marye]

Similar, to my mind, as Canon......over and over and over and over and zzzzzzzzz .............

[redlover1]

Operatenor,

You made me laugh so hard at work that my co-workers ran to see if I was choking on a chicken wing or a piece of hard candy LOL! Thanks for the feedback Nicole. It's just that I can tolerate it and couldn't see why this piece was so disturbing to you hahah.

Devin

[jmfryar]

Doesn't it say volumes that you "tolerate it"?

[Marye]

LOL! JM

[Selma in Sandy Eggo]

[quote]Originally posted by Marye:
[b] Similar, to my mind, as Canon......over and over and over and over and zzzzzzzzz .............
And I like both Bolero and the Canon. I'll admit to liking the "Loose" Canon best, but I like any Canon. The Canadian Brass or Blast Bolero are best, but any Bolero is good.

Well, maybe not on accordion.

I'd like to hear 'em on a bagpipe, though.

[Marye]

I like "Loose Canon" myself....

I heard Canon this weekend at a wedding and the quartet were so bored it was palpable...really... but I think you have something there Selma .... bagpipes and Canon... I might just request that!

[defeos]

The only reason BOlero is famous is because of Bo Derick and the movie "10". Bolero should have the same amount of fame and reknown as Bo Derick has today.

[Selma in Sandy Eggo]

Originally posted by SteveD:
The only reason BOlero is famous is because of Bo Derick and the movie "10". Bolero should have the same amount of fame and reknown as Bo Derick has today.

No, no, no! Torvill and Dean and an ice rink! The other visual I get is the Spanish dancer. Dances her shoes to tatters, and collapses at the end of the piece. Red chiffon everywhere.

Bolero is pretty much like liver. You really like it, or really dislike it. I still like it.

[priya978]

But Nicole!! Don't you hear those colours!! So vibrant!! Okay, maybe I'm just looking at it in the conductor's way.

[OperaTenor]

Originally posted by Selma in San Diego:

And I like both Bolero and the Canon.

Just what I'd expect from a soprano.

[bignaf]

it's a tour de force in orchestrational technique. and the gradual crescendo is very eciting combined with the hypnotic rhythm. it comes very close to vulgarity but IMO does not reach it.

[priya978]

Most of the best music is vulgar!!

[jmfryar]

Originally posted by SteveD:
The only reason BOlero is famous is because of Bo Derick and the movie "10". Bolero should have the same amount of fame and reknown as Bo Derick has today.

Actually Bo did a film called Bolero...and the entire film was basically the soundtrack...which is why I can no longer listen to the piece - it was bad enough before, but now I have this image of Bo spitting in the guys ear and calling it her 'special kiss' everytime I hear it...

trust me, not a pleasant image to have in ones head...

[WOLFWALK]

Some years ago I saw animated film set to Bolero. It was a sort of evolutionary march from the beginning of life until today with a sardonic twist. I thought it was a hoot and the music fit perfectly the mood of the piece. As far as Bo's Bolero goes, why would anyone even watch it? I mean, didn't you know that Gigli would be a huge bomb without shelling out the bucks for a ticket?

What a long strange trip it's been--Jerry Garcia

[OperaTenor]

Hi Wolfwalk, welcome to the den. Any story to go with the name?

[1st_oboe]

In an attempt the thwart OT's hijacking attempt...
My toughts on Bolero...
Quoting E.

But Nicole!! Don't you hear those colours!! So vibrant!! Okay, maybe I'm just looking at it in the conductor's way.

This is the reason I like it. So many different ways of presenting the theme is a definate way to win me over. The CB's version is quite boring to me due to the lack of colors, playing it only on brass... Oh, and the fact that it uses the oboe d'amore (A very misunderstood and too little used instrument, but that's for a different thread....) helps too.
I've never played the piece, but I understand that depending on where you are in the orchestra, you will have a different opinion. For example, a good serious snare drummer will enjoy the challenge of playing the same pattern hundreds of times with the crescendo.

[barfle]

Originally posted by WOLFWALK:
As far as Bo's Bolero goes, why would anyone even watch it?

Hormones.