Ravel's "Bolero" - the COMPLETE, DEFINITIVE version

Conducted by Paul Kletzki - ramp up the BASS!

Footnote: I first heard this piece as a small boy (many, MANY years ago) when it was being used in a TV action series as an instrument of TORTURE.

The victim was strapped to a chair wearing headphones (the victim, not the chair - keep up!) and the volume was MAXED OUT.

He was fine for the first few minutes...

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Ravel
• Bolero
• Paul
• Kletzki

[drakedt]

hm.. I often sit in a chair and listen to Bolero with headphones, quite loudly.. lol. Thanks for sharing this.  I was reading up on the piece, and read that Ravel played it slower originally as well as being quoted saying it was a seventeen minute piece. I really appreciate getting to hear a different perspective on this from the one I'm used to. Thanks.

[carllafong69]

@drakedt My pleasure. Ravel's Bolero is essentially a SLOW WALTZ - but since the 3/4 time is so SLOW, most arrangements concentrate on the much faster, overlaid DRUM part. RATT-A-TAT-TATT! RATT-A-TAT-TATT!!

But Kletzki eases BACK (just a little) on the drums and emphasises that 3/4 time more (which is apparent when you can hear the BASS - hence my instruction in the info panel to RAMP IT UP!)

THANKS for the info about Ravel saying the piece should run 17 minutes. Kletzski takes 16:49!

[TheClam88]

@tomxchao no.Too slow.

[rodsling]

this is a precise test for any orchesta... progressive and precise getting more and more complex... like assembling a clock, i dont know, but it is great. thanks for this vynil version.

[MariayYolanda]

BEAUTIFUL

[str8ngrrr]

No, the vinyl noise is BEAUTIFUL. Analog rules !!

[Ann36tim]

I used to pretend "conduct" with my father to this record, (yes, vinyl record) when I was little, about 8 years old....a loong time ago...lol...listening to this version brought such a smile to my face,and brought back great memories of my father and I, pretending that we were conductors. Kudos..beautiful tempo. thank you.

[napejack]

legendary version with mehta is the best!

[tomxchao]

This is the correct tempo. 

[clovengoatlord]

Snap, Crackle, and Pop called, they want their audio fidelity back.

[homerosalazar]

almost there with the tempo, but, it's one of the best that i've heard =)

[carllafong69]

@NielsC68 Absolutely. People have gotten used to it being THRASHED through in around 10 minutes or so. Someone else also remarked how Ravel himself said he composed it to run 17 minutes. (Incidentally, sorry for the delay in answering - this comment got past me. Happy New Year!)