It was only a matter of time. Ravel’s Bolero, the world's longest and most seductive musical crescendo, has been given the flash-mob treatment.
Using a five-minute arrangement of the piece, the Copenhagen Philharmonic Orchestra staged one of those hit-and-run performances in Copenhagen Central Station on May 2. The skillfully edited video, which shows dozens of delighted and surprised commuters, has received over 133,000 views since May 27.
While flash mobs keep springing up in food courts, grocery store aisles, public parks and transit stations, this performance makes particularly clever use of the inherent drama of the piece itself.
Update: Copenhagen Philharmonic spokesman Stine Larson reports that the orchestra spent six months preparing this performance, from getting permissions to shipping the instruments in trucks. The orchestra hired two cameramen, one placed on the roof of a store in the station concourse and the other moving amongst the audience and musicians.
Comments [10]
I would love to have experienced the ENTIRE performance. I'd also love to see something similar happen here in Atlanta.
I can't express my delight every time I have watched this video ( five timed so far) since receiving it via email last week (10/3/2011).
The unassuming way the orchestra gathers in momento as the piece crescendoes, their common and understated clothes just enhance the brilliance of the orchestra to the surprise of the audience. I'm ready to go to Copenhagen to hear them live.
Fantastic!!! Would like to see this done in all the U.S. cities, to get the young interested in good music!!!!!
Yvette Zamost
Really cool . . . a Danish interpretation of
Bolero! Looks like Grand Central Station, as well!!
Is this the answer to high priced show tickets and discontented orchestras and opera compaines?
Let's do this in America, now.
Wow! Awesome! An orchestra - now that is a feat! Bravo
Wow. One of the sharpest interpretations I've heard. Love the crowd reactions! And how on earth did they sneak in those kettledrums?
I don't know what I love most:
-the fact that there were so many wide-eyed children watching so intently.
-the fact that people seemed so genuinely enthralled.
-the way the harp and tympani just appeared all of a sudden.
-how the musicians just left when they were done and the spectators looked bewildered.
When you mentioned grocery stores, I thought you might have meant this one - 4th of July weekend on Cape Cod! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5lbNXNn3CI
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