"Magic Bird of Fire" - Vincent Montana, Jr. Conducts String Session Rehearsal (1990)

IN VMJ'S OWN WORDS: When I was 13 my father took me to The Academy of Music in Philadelphia to see Stravinsky conduct "The Firebird Suite". The performance stayed with me for many years and so when I was producing The Salsoul Orchestra, I decided to make my own interpretation of it. I studied the original score, condensed it and borrowed excerpts that I liked and found exciting. It took me a month to extract the parts I wanted from the original score and to notate it for my own recording "Magic Bird of Fire".

For the original Salsoul session, I recorded the basic rhythm track one day, then booked the studio for 36 strings for the next day. Normally I use 6 Violins, 2 Violas and 1 Cello; but for that particular production, I needed to quadruple the strings -- 24 Violins, 8 Violas, 4 Celli! Then I doubled that! The next session was with brass: 4 French Horns, 3 Trumpets, 3 Trombones, 1 Baritone Sax and 1 Tuba. After that I had the Harpist record. I finished the session off with Tympani and some percussion instruments.

In 1990, I decided to re-record it for myself. In this video I am rehearsing the strings before the actual recording. Although these musicians are professional and read music, I had to run it down with them and explain the accents and staccatos so they would play it with the "feel" that I wanted and interpret it correctly.

Enjoy!
Vincent Montana, Jr.

"Magic Bird of Fire"
String Session / Rehearsal (1990)
Recorded at Gamble & Huff's Studio 309, Philadelphia, PA
Engineer: Jim Gallagher

See Part 1 of this session: "Vibe Vertigo" -- Paul Simpson Presents LP&S Ft. Montana - String Session (1990)

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Category:

Music

Tags:

• Vincent Montana Jr.
• Disco
• Magic Bird of Fire
• Philly Sound Works
• Salsoul Orchestra
• MFSB
• String Session
• Firebird Suite
• Stravinsky
• Violins

[nosharecash]

I was going through some of my dads LPs and listened to the disco version (Magic Bird of fire) I was blown away. Then I thought look this song up on youtube and DAM now I'm really blown away. My generation (all electronic can't come close to this! Totally off the hook. My dad said his generation paved the way. Dad you were right. He doesn't know about this so tonight I will sit him down and blow him away back 2 the 70's! WOW! Thank God for youtube!

[cynthiamwade]

This is GREAT! I remember when this came out around 77/78 on the Salsoul label and I still have the 12 inch. Will always keep my vinyl! The nuances of humans playing real instruments sets it off from electronic gadgets. This is the result of practicing your music lessons - as you hear and see, it is not easy to sit for hours to get it down pat.

[tahtipuikkoblogi]

Salsoul and MFSB are the two reasons why I truly love Disco era (and the decades before that). Unfortunately, subsequent use of full orchestras hasn't seen uprise in music.

[adaptorrecordings]

ABSOLUTELY HUGE!

[fabalassio]

GREAT!!!! I love it!!!



[Bill334578]

The first time I heard the 12" of the original Salsoul Orchestra 'Magic Bird of Fire' was in a small club 'way back then. I almost didn't survive! Totally knocked-out! Stravinsky was/is my favorite of all composers, and your arrangement of his Firebird is absolutely phenomenal. It has a special place in my heart, and is connected with some hot, hot memories.

[MrYahudeejay]

simply great artist :-)

[bobbymoya]

Wow - fascinating

[DjGrantSmith11]

Absolutely Magical! To see musicians performing part of this beautiful classic is like nothing else. Thank you! :-)

[Discofunkytrain]

These videos are so precious !!! It's really amazing to see all that great work for recording tunes we listen ! "Magic Bird Of Fire" is a masterpiece, and we understand why ! Everything is very precise, the musician are so talented and Vincent Montana Jr is a perfectionist !! I love this video.