Internet Symphony 'Eroica'
Tan Dun
" A fun symphony of some slight historic interest "Written by William Bard - Review of the regular release
Chinese film/classical composer Tan Dun's (known for his Grammy-Award-winning score to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) Internet Symphony 'Eroica' is a four-and-a-half minute long piece commissioned by Google/YouTube to be performed at Carnegie Hall by amateur and professional musicians from around the world, uniting them as the world's first online orchestra: the YouTube Symphony Orchestra.
Performed and recorded commercially by the London Symphony Orchestra in October 2008, the work was released in 2009 as an iTunes digital download exclusive. (It should be noted that at the time of the symphony's performance by the LSO, it featured film-score-famous trumpeter Maurice Murphy, known for his legendary playing on all six of John Williams" Star Wars scores, Raiders of the Lost Ark, etc. Mr. Murphy has since retired from his long career as the LSO's Principal Trumpet player.) This is so far the only recording of the piece, though it has been performed by several orchestras in concert.
For being a symphony, the work is incredibly short, so short that a more conservative, classical listener would no doubt be unable to take it the least bit seriously. Though sold as only one MP3 track (Internet Symphony "Eroica": I-IV), the piece makes itself out to be the traditional, four-movement symphony. However, unfortunately, the beginnings and endings of these four individual movements are never indicated, but are left up to the listener to decide on their own. A digital booklet would have come in handy in regards to establishing the comings and goings of the short movements, but alas, such a booklet does not exist. Aside from traditional orchestra, the work features rather unconventional instruments such as brake drum and automobile rims.
The symphony opens with harp and percussion, soon establishing a driving rhythm with low trills in the wind instruments. A slowed, majestic trumpet solo in a brass choir setting introduces the main theme, and this theme is present throughout the rest of the work, along with an interesting quotation of a theme from Beethoven's Symphony No. 3 'Eroica' (no doubt referencing the name they share). The work closes in climactic horn glissandos and pounding timpani and percussion.
Overall, the Internet Symphony 'Eroica' by Tan Dun is a fun little piece with an interesting historical role as being the first piece of music to bring together musicians from all over the world by means of the Internet. For the $0.99 USD digital download, it is worth it, if you enjoy contemporary classical music, or if you just like the sound of Maurice Murphy's gorgeous trumpet-playing along with the LSO.
Performed and recorded commercially by the London Symphony Orchestra in October 2008, the work was released in 2009 as an iTunes digital download exclusive. (It should be noted that at the time of the symphony's performance by the LSO, it featured film-score-famous trumpeter Maurice Murphy, known for his legendary playing on all six of John Williams" Star Wars scores, Raiders of the Lost Ark, etc. Mr. Murphy has since retired from his long career as the LSO's Principal Trumpet player.) This is so far the only recording of the piece, though it has been performed by several orchestras in concert.
For being a symphony, the work is incredibly short, so short that a more conservative, classical listener would no doubt be unable to take it the least bit seriously. Though sold as only one MP3 track (Internet Symphony "Eroica": I-IV), the piece makes itself out to be the traditional, four-movement symphony. However, unfortunately, the beginnings and endings of these four individual movements are never indicated, but are left up to the listener to decide on their own. A digital booklet would have come in handy in regards to establishing the comings and goings of the short movements, but alas, such a booklet does not exist. Aside from traditional orchestra, the work features rather unconventional instruments such as brake drum and automobile rims.
The symphony opens with harp and percussion, soon establishing a driving rhythm with low trills in the wind instruments. A slowed, majestic trumpet solo in a brass choir setting introduces the main theme, and this theme is present throughout the rest of the work, along with an interesting quotation of a theme from Beethoven's Symphony No. 3 'Eroica' (no doubt referencing the name they share). The work closes in climactic horn glissandos and pounding timpani and percussion.
Overall, the Internet Symphony 'Eroica' by Tan Dun is a fun little piece with an interesting historical role as being the first piece of music to bring together musicians from all over the world by means of the Internet. For the $0.99 USD digital download, it is worth it, if you enjoy contemporary classical music, or if you just like the sound of Maurice Murphy's gorgeous trumpet-playing along with the LSO.