French orchestra records stirring 51-instrument rendition of Ravel’s Bolero and play it to millions across the world from their own homes during the coronavirus lockdown
- National Orchestra of France recorded Bolero for millions trapped in isolation
- Over 50 musicians filmed their parts on mobile phones from their homes
- Video provides a ‘feeling of union’ during the raging coronavirus pandemic
A French orchestra has recorded a 51-instrument rendition of Ravel’s Bolero for millions worldwide trapped at home during the coronavirus lockdown.
Like building a musical jigsaw puzzle, the National Orchestra of France used the magic of technology to weave together the sight and sounds of its musicians, who filmed themselves playing alone in their homes into a seamless, rousing whole.
Posting a video of their stitched-together performance on YouTube was a way of keeping in touch with each other and with audiences they sorely miss playing for.
For the participants, it was a chance to escape their own confinement, and to help boost the spirits of millions trapped in lockdown.
‘It provides a feeling of union’ in a time of confinement, said violinist David Riviere, who recorded his part while listening to the piece through headphones.
A French orchestra has recorded a 51-instrument rendition of Ravel’s Bolero for millions worldwide trapped at home during the coronavirus lockdown
For Riviere it was also a way to spread joy, ‘something universal in this particularly difficult time’ which has seen the ONF cancel all concerts.
‘It is awful to not be working,’ said Michel Orier, Radio France music director. ‘But with this video, we wanted to say to the public: “We are still there for you”.’
The clip has been viewed more than a million times since it was uploaded on March 29, just 12 days into France’s campaign of home confinement.
It begins with each musician introducing themselves. The music starts with instruments played on three split screens, then four, and more.
‘I would never have imagined synchronising the sound of instruments not playing together,’ said Dimitri Scapolan, a Radio France editor in charge of the project.
Posting a video of their stitched-together performance on YouTube was a way of keeping in touch with each other and with audiences they sorely miss playing for
For the participants, it was a chance to escape their own confinement, and to help boost the spirits of millions trapped in lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic
The clip has been viewed more than a million times since it was uploaded on March 29, just 12 days into France’s campaign of home confinement
It begins with each musician introducing themselves. The music starts with instruments played on three split screens, then four, and more
‘I would never have imagined synchronising the sound of instruments not playing together,’ said Dimitri Scapolan, a Radio France editor in charge of the project
‘When I overlapped all the pieces recorded by the cellphones on my computer, to my great astonishment, everyone was in perfect harmony.’
This unusual rendition of Bolero, one of the world’s best-known pieces of classical music, had been reworked into a condensed four-minute version.
The original work is about 15 minutes long and written for 80 musicians.
The Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra had done a similar recording with Beethoven’s Ode to Joy, and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra with Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring – each bringing together some 20 musicians.