In my last article I wrote about the line between classical
music and modern music and how the former has influenced the later. This week I
want to explore an element of this that wasn’t discussed last week. The way
classical instruments (or indeed any instrument) and different arrangements can
be used to enhance a song, change its tone and make it appeal to completely
different audiences. From simply adding one new instrument to creating a full
orchestral version of a song, different interpretations of songs can create
incredible pieces of music.
‘Call Me Maybe’ by Carly Rae Jepsen performed by Ben Howard
and Band
I’ll be honest, I never thought I would write about ‘Call Me
Maybe’ on the Southern Sinfonia blog, the original version of this song is pure
pop which depending on your opinion is either catchy and fun or irritating and
childish. However when I began to think about arrangements and instruments
changing the meaning and the feel of a song, the above version by Ben Howard
was the first thing that came to my head. Despite the fact that they haven’t
changed the lyrics, stripping back the track to guitar, violin and drums and
slowing the tempo completely changes the way you view the song. Sung and
performed in this arrangement lines like “I beg, and borrow and steal, Have
foresight and it’s real, I didn’t know I would feel it, But it’s in my way”
suddenly conjures up images of yearning for someone you can’t have, compared to
the original which conjures up images of thinking someone is attractive and
forcing them to have your number.
Despite the power that can be found in changing meaning,
it’s not always the goal or indeed the reason a new version of a song can be so
powerful. Sometimes adding layers can simply enhance what is already there. I
already loved the album version of ‘The Things We Lost in the Fire’ by Bastille
but there is something inspiring about watching the below version:
‘The Things We Lost in the Fire’ by Bastille performed by
Bastille featuring Queen’s College Choir and Cambridge University Chamber
Orchestra
The combination of Queen’s College Choir, the Cambridge
University Chamber Orchestra and classical instruments such as the kettle drum
add drama, grandeur and a sense of spectacle that whilst present in the original, comes alive in this version. As well as the performances, it is also
the visuals that add this. Being able to see the amount of people contributing
to the music immediately adds a sense of occasion, placing the sense of
occasion you get from a classical concert into a modern context.
Modern technology has given all acts the opportunity to
upload covers and content onto YouTube, whether it’s a band, choir and
orchestra performing in a university or two violinists in a room:
‘I Will Wait’ by Mumford and Sons performed by Momento
The brilliant thing about this interpretation is using just
two violins, Momento manage to
turn a folk rock song into a classical piece. The incredibly clever way that
they do this is by playing the instruments in unique ways, including strumming
the violin in the way you would strum a guitar to create something fresh and
exciting. The original song is performed on a range of instruments including banjos,
keyboards and a double bass. Stripping this back to just the violin immediately
makes the piece feel classical.
You do however recognise the Mumford and Sons original, I
personally find myself still hearing that version in my head whilst
appreciating the Momento version, which is part of the joy of listening to it.
A classical interpretation that does however take me away from the original can
be found below:
‘Story of my Life’ by One Direction performed by The Piano
Guys
I can’t lie, I personally don’t mind One Direction at all, a
number of their songs have great melodies and get inside your head. Therefore I
know the original version of the above quite well, however despite this I still
feel that the version above completely transforms this song. Using a piano and
cello, The Piano Guys have created a beautiful piece of music that you loose
yourself in as your mind wonders. Which is exactly my reaction to my favourite
pieces of classical music.
When most people think of covers of modern rock songs using
classical instruments their mind potentially turns to full orchestral covers,
with acts such as the London Symphony Orchestra becoming renowned for their
covers. For me, the best example of this I’ve heard recently is this:
‘Killing in the Name’ by Rage Against the Machine arranged and
conducted by Nick Proch
Again, I am a big fan of the original version of this song
(I can’t be the only one with Rage Against the Machine AND One Direction on
their iPod can I?????) and part of the thrill of this version is knowing what
it starts as and seeing what is has become. The angry and volatile nature of
the original disappears with this arrangement, instead it transforms into a
theatrical piece of music that wouldn’t feel out of place the theme to a James
Bond movie. A friend of mine who really doesn’t like the original version said
that he wanted to purchase this version. That in many ways sums up this article
and the power of rearranging and re-imagining music. It uncovers themes you
didn’t realise were there, adds new meaning and appeals to a whole new
audience.
No comments:
Post a Comment