Did you ever get that one theme stuck in your head that just keeps repeating the same melody over and over and over and crescendos incredibly gradually until a kind of monumental climax.
I think it was in Bolero, let me know if you know what I am talking about, and especially if you have had it stuck in your head.
2006-07-23 21:19:18 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Performing Arts
It's funny that I was just discussing this very question with a friend of mine a few minutes ago! Yes, it's Bolero. It is catchy partly because of all of the repetition, and partly because the melody is so simple and yet distinctive. Or maybe it's catchy also because of the dance rhythm played by (one and then two) snare drums throughout the piece at a constant tempo. My favorite part is the very ending, where the music changes for the first time. I'm actually pretty sick of the piece, but wading through all of the mind-numbing repetition is always worth it when I get to hear that spectacular climax! This piece was not one of Ravel's favorites, though. He wasn't thrilled at its popularity because he thought of it as an experiment in orchestration rather than a concert work. (The experiment was how to orchestrate a long gradual crescendo.)
Go find the recording of Ravel conducting this piece for a new perspective on its style! (Well, it *shouldn't* be a NEW perspective, since it's the original recording, but alas, none of the modern recordings come close to the unique flavor of the original.)
2006-07-24 09:22:54 · answer #1 · answered by Dr. Rob 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bolero by Ravel starts slowly and with a single instrument. It is then played by a different instrument...same theme same tempo. It then transfers to several instruments at a slightly faster tempo. Next the orchestra picks up the theme and begins to play at a louder level and faster tempo. The climax is very loud and fast. While this is going on the tympani plays the same rhythm over and over. This is the BOLERO. Generally played at outside concerts. It can overpower a concert hall.
2006-07-24 04:28:57 · answer #2 · answered by wunderkind 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
After you have gotten a bit tired of Bolero, listen carefully to La Valse, which is a curiously satirical dissection and transformation of the classical Viennese waltz. Particularly noteworthy performances are conducted by:
Jean Martinon
Pierre Boulez
Charles Munch
2006-07-24 19:56:56 · answer #3 · answered by sochiswim 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like Bolero to me. It was made (re-made?) famous in the movie "10." The "Pavane for a Dead Princess" of Ravel is another one of those tunes that gets stuck in your head, but it doesn't have that ebbing and flowing you described.
2006-07-24 12:00:45 · answer #4 · answered by DR 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you are most definately thinking of bolero. my sister was working on an arrangement of a folk song and was looking to mimic the "organ" sound created by the dynamics and intervals of certain combos of woodwinds, so I was listening to this yesterday. This is an amazing piece of music. it starts of with a flute and goes through all kinds of instrumentations such as soprano sax, jazz trombone solo (my favorite!!!) and of course the whole orchestra. one of the most amazing performances of this was when Blast! the indoor drum corps did this in their origional performance, which I have been lucky enough to see live, twice. Absolutely amazing piece of music, great taste! hats off to you.
2006-07-25 01:19:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I love Ravel. I'd rather have Ravel stuck in my head than the stupid song that has been there for over a week now, which I shall not name in fear it will return.
2006-07-26 23:43:43 · answer #6 · answered by Thom Thumb 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, saw a cartoon with that as the soundtrack, cant remember the name, but cool cartoon about a spaceship that leavs a coke bottle on a planet and it evolves into a life form that kills other life forms and eventually humans....
2006-07-24 04:23:13 · answer #7 · answered by Mac Momma 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wunderkind, the tempo never gets faster. The conductor can just set the initial pace and walk away for all it matters.
2006-07-24 10:14:21 · answer #8 · answered by John C. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nah, but I can't seem to get the theme from Kojak outa my head.
2006-07-26 03:58:00 · answer #9 · answered by Chiron 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That never happened to me, but I did get Verdi's "Overture to Nabucco" stuck in my head for a week.
2006-07-24 04:23:28 · answer #10 · answered by Leon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋