Bolero

[welcid]

I could be mistaken but there are several other pieces that are requested and played far more often then BOLERO. 1812 Overture, various movements of The Planets, and some film music just to name a few.

I enjoy all of the above, but certainly I am a BOLERO aficionado to say the least.

Welcid

[Selma in Sandy Eggo]

Bolero is on, and generating a new visual on the hi-def screen mounted on the inside of my forehead.

Today, it's alligator lizards (the California kind) and they're dancing in trios. In a hurricane. Palm trees blowing, oleanders shredding, and the lizards don't notice. They're dancing, in the rain, in the hurricane.

Now a flock of baffled bats has blown by, and the lizards don't notice. They're dancing, in the rain, in the hurricane.

Now a flock of perplexed parrots has blown by, and the lizards don't notice. They're dancing, in the rain, in the hurricane.

Now a flurry of frightened flying fish has blown by, and the lizards don't notice. They're dancing, in the rain, in the hurricane.

CRASH! Lightning! Thunder! Lightning! And the lizards blow away!

Wow, that was a good movie. Play Bolero again?

[OperaTenor]

Hmmmm, now I understand why you like Borello.

Can I have whatever it is you're taking?

[barfle]

Yeah, I'll have what she's having!

Bolero is a fine piece of music. It takes you through the orchestra instrument by instrument, section by section, building all the time until the final release. Sounds a bit like something else I enjoy...

[OperaTenor]

Yeah, I know what you mean. But I always have to put it on repeat for that .......

[Bob Jr.]

Now, come on guys, you've got to try and see this as half FULL, instead of half EMPTY. If, indeed, one were following barfle's advice for Bolero use, it has the definite positive aspect that:

if the record started skipping, you wouldn't have to fix it until YOU were finished.

Quaint history; a big reason one might find Canon boring, is that it wasn't intended for performance when composed. It was written to teach Baroque-era bass players how to make all the sounds they'd be expected to make during a concert. Basically, it's scales for classical bass.

Bolero is supposed to be a musical incarnation of the emotions building up to (uh) release, on the other hand (is that a good phrase to use?), shall we say. Do that too often and you'll get warts.

Do you notice that both pieces were 'intended' for individual 'enjoyment'?

[Selma in Sandy Eggo]

Nonsense. They're intended for terpsichorean reptiles.

[Bob Jr.]

We ARE talking about Johann Pachelbel's Canon? Johnny-boy was a failed herpatologist, so that would explain an awful lot there;

I'm not going to get involved with the use of reptiles while listening to Bolero.

[haggis]

"terpsichorean reptiles."

What a wonderful combination of words. It pleases my aural palate.

You remain a shining example of evocative wordsmithing Selma, my hat’s off to you.

[OperaTenor]

Originally posted by Selma in San Diego:
Nonsense. They're intended for terpsichorean reptiles.

Okay, I have to admit, I had to look it up.

[barfle]

So I guess Leisure Suit Larry would like Bolero and Canon?

[RC]

I LIKE BOLERO.

ah, I feel better...

But a group of musician friends and I refer, (not necessarily affectionately) to Johann Pachelbel's Canon as Taco Bell.

as in:
Audience request:"Oh please, will you play the Canon?"
Group lead to requestor:"Certainly ma'am"
Group lead to musicians: "OK everyone, Taco Bell...again"

[OperaTenor]

I wonder if Borello's ever been performed on bagpipes?

[Selma in Sandy Eggo]

Originally posted by OperaTenor:
I wonder if Borello's ever been performed on bagpipes?

I've requested it. Unfortunately, NM say's it's not in the library at b.com, and Amazon doesn't seem to have a Bagpipes Bolero either. I'm sure it would be a worldwide hit, if it were recorded by a good group. Perhaps the Denver Brass & Pipes could be induced?

[OperaTenor]

Originally posted by Selma in San Diego:
I've requested it. Unfortunately, NM say's it's not in the library at b.com...

Take it to the "Requests?" thread, lady...

[monkeymd2b]

I saw a CD of 10 versions of Bolero at Barnes & Noble. One was by a japanese man on synthesizer. Yes, I did listen to the short clips on those listening stations but only because it reminded me of all the discussion about this piece that has gone on for as long as I've known about this site...and I admit it, I enjoy the piece.

There are also CDs for 10 versions of Canon and 4 seasons.

[shostakovich]

Sorry to be so square in an otherwise jocular thread. Bolero was not written for the movie "10". It was commissioned by the aging ballerina Ida Rubinstein in order to strut her stuff.

I heard a story that the composition took close to 18 minutes to play (possibly Ida liked to dance slowly). When Toscanini played a concert performance in about 13 minutes, Ravel said "That was good, but it was not the way I wrote it." Toscanini said, "If I played it the way you wrote it, it wouldn't have been so good".

The words are not exact because I'm working from ancient memory, but the thrust (no pun intended) is accurate.
Shos

[Selma in Sandy Eggo]

I don't suppose Ida was reincarnated as one of my alligator lizards? They were dancing slowly, with great intensity. Or perhaps one of the parrots?

I'm going to have to try the Canon with parakeets. Just imagine them spinning through their legs, trying to escape the cage by turning themselves inside out, and doing fluffy headbounces in front of the birdie mirror. In time with the music, of course. Possibly falling off the perch, from time to time. That's got to work with TacoBell's Cannon.

[barfle]

Originally posted by OperaTenor:
I wonder if Borello's ever been performed on bagpipes?

Bordello?

[Bob Jr.]

Originally posted by Selma in San Diego:
I don't suppose Ida was reincarnated as one of my alligator lizards? They were dancing slowly, with great intensity.

Ahhh... and suddenly it occurs to me where the terpsichorean reptiles originated. It's actually too bad that Selma's not able to win any awards for such a wonderful construction of words / ideas.

If I remember correctly, a character on West Wing was once awarded the Francis Scott Key Key. Any ideas for a more 'respectable' palm frond to offer Selma?