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I’ve always been fascinated by orchestras and how each one has its own personality. It’s impossible, for example, to mistake the Philadelphia Orchestra for the Russian National Orchestra, especially if they’re both playing a Shostakovich symphony. This is partly due to traditions and customs, but also has a lot to do with the conductors that helped bring each orchestra to prominence.
Philadelphia has always been known for its lush string section and, at least in the past, would often slow bigger pieces down a little so the strings could really open up. Other orchestras, like the Boston Pops, largely due to its association with Maestro/composer John Williams, have become synonymous with film scores, especially of the Spielberg variety.
For reasons still unclear to me, The London Symphony Orchestra long ago decided it was THE rock orchestra and have recorded orchestral versions of Sting’s music, Frank Zappa’s, Led Zeppelin’s, Yes’, The Beatles, The Who, Genesis (!), the list is endless and a bit comical. For a while there, they were also the orchestra that did a lot of Bernstein musicals like Candide and On the Town. During some of those years, I had the privilege of working with the LSO and Maestro Michael Tilson Thomas and often asked the musicians what the deal was with the orchestra and rock’n’roll. The closest I ever got to a believable answer was that many of the best rock bands came out of London, so it only made sense that the LSO be the go-to group. To which I always wondered: well what about the London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) or the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO), or any of the other wonderful ensembles they’ve got over there?
So.. as already noted, many orchestras have become connected with famous conductors—maestros who’ve helped shape not only the repertoire the orchestra has become known for, but the actual sound. Here’s a new quiz I put together where you have to match 10 of the most famous orchestras with 10 conductors who helped put them on the musical map. Get out those air-batons and give ‘em a tap, tap, tap. And then come on back and let us know if it was too easy.
Comments (5)
Comment
20% Yikes!
Unfortunately, I am one of those who when I listen to classical music I rarely pay attention to the orchestra or the conductor. I blame it on the DJs who talk in that hushed mellow tone that kind of lulls you into a meditative state.
posted by Dusty on 8-29-2007 at 6:52 am
There was a cool story on All Things Considered yesterday evening ~ mainly about a scientific study of individuals with ‘perfect pitch.’ An interesting bit of trivia, though — orchestras of different nationalities also have a different overall sound because the tuning note — in America, for instance, A at 440 hertz — can differ. In short, there is a range for A. The Berlin Philharmonic, the story reports, tune to A at 446 hertz; some classical orchestras tune to an A as low as 415 hertz. It was really interesting, but it’s one of those stories that is better listened to. There’s an audio link (and the transcript where I got these factoids!) at
www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14005779
posted by Roger on 8-29-2007 at 7:15 am
As long as we are talking about the London Symphony Orchestra covering pop music, why not mention the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s dip into pop music: “Hooked on Classics”? It was the collection of well-recognized classical snippets played to a rock beat which acted as a segue between pieces. It was conducted by Louis Clark of Electric Light Orchestra fame.
I cannot confirm it, but I was told that “Hooked on Classics” was born when Princess Diana told Charles that the RPO was boring. The whole thing was created to appease her.
At the time, I thought that it was high art (I was 10). Now I marvel that the RPO produced such kitsch.
posted by n2y2 on 8-29-2007 at 11:47 am
This was harder than I expected — I was tripped up by the New York Philharmonic, in part because Zubin Mehta was music director of the NYPhil for 13 years (1978-91), which is certainly long enough to shape an orchestra’s sound and have a lasting impact…
posted by AmyB on 8-29-2007 at 5:16 pm
100% - this one was not too tough for me, I have been listening to classical orchestras for a long time. BTW, the lush strings and slow tempi of the Philadelphia Orchestra started with Ormandy, himself a string player. They had a different sound under Stokowski.
posted by Harold on 8-29-2007 at 8:46 pm