The Orchestral Tubular Bells
Encyclopedia
The Orchestral Tubular Bells is an orchestral version of Mike Oldfield
's album Tubular Bells
, arranged by David Bedford
and recorded in 1974 by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
, featuring Oldfield himself playing the guitar. In 2000 it was reissued by Virgin as a HDCD.
Excerpts from the album were featured in the 1979 NASA
film, The Space Movie
. It peaked at #17 on the UK Albums Chart
in 1975.
' reading out the instruments at the end of part one.
Oldfield himself was not happy with Bedford's orchestrated interpretation of his work, which he stated in his autobiography, Changeling. In 1975 New Musical Express described the album as a logical extension of the piece.
in September 1974 by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
. This was shown on a British television station, BBC2, with Steve Hillage
(of Gong
) playing guitar. Oldfield later added his playing to the album by overdubbing his acoustic guitar at Worcester Cathedral
.
The Orchestral Tubular Bells was not the only Mike Oldfield album that was orchestrated at the time, David Bedford also wrote the score for Oldfield's second album, Hergest Ridge
. However, The Orchestral Hergest Ridge
was never released to the public as an album. Excerpts from The Orchestral Hergest Ridge were also featured in the 1979 NASA film, The Space Movie
.
Mike Oldfield
Michael Gordon Oldfield is an English multi-instrumentalist musician and composer, working a style that blends progressive rock, folk, ethnic or world music, classical music, electronic music, New Age, and more recently, dance. His music is often elaborate and complex in nature...
's album Tubular Bells
Tubular Bells
Tubular Bells is the debut record album of English musician Mike Oldfield, released in 1973. It was the first album released by Virgin Records and an early cornerstone of the company's success...
, arranged by David Bedford
David Bedford
David Vickerman Bedford , was an English composer and musician. He wrote and played both popular and classical music....
and recorded in 1974 by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is a British orchestra based in London. It tours widely, and is sometimes referred to as "Britain's national orchestra"...
, featuring Oldfield himself playing the guitar. In 2000 it was reissued by Virgin as a HDCD.
Excerpts from the album were featured in the 1979 NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
film, The Space Movie
The Space Movie
The Space Movie is a documentary film produced in 1979 by Tony Palmer at the request of NASA, to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.The 78 minute film was released theatrically in 1980, on VHS in 1983 and on DVD in 2007...
. It peaked at #17 on the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
in 1975.
Differences from the original Tubular Bells
The main difference between Tubular Bells and the orchestrated version is that Oldfield does not perform the majority of instruments himself; he only plays an overdubbed guitar. All of the melodies from Tubular Bells are the same, although transferred to different instruments. Vocal chords were not performed as vocals and there is no 'Master of CeremoniesMaster of Ceremonies
A Master of Ceremonies , or compere, is the host of a staged event or similar performance.An MC usually presents performers, speaks to the audience, and generally keeps the event moving....
' reading out the instruments at the end of part one.
Oldfield himself was not happy with Bedford's orchestrated interpretation of his work, which he stated in his autobiography, Changeling. In 1975 New Musical Express described the album as a logical extension of the piece.
Recording
The Orchestral Tubular Bells was performed and recorded live at the Royal Albert HallRoyal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
in September 1974 by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is a British orchestra based in London. It tours widely, and is sometimes referred to as "Britain's national orchestra"...
. This was shown on a British television station, BBC2, with Steve Hillage
Steve Hillage
Steve Hillage is an English musician, best known as a guitarist. He is associated with the Canterbury scene and has worked in experimental domains since the late 1960s...
(of Gong
Gong (band)
Gong is a Franco-British progressive/psychedelic rock band formed by Australian musician Daevid Allen. Their music has also been described as space rock. Other notable band members include Allan Holdsworth, Tim Blake, Didier Malherbe, Pip Pyle, Gilli Smyth, Steve Hillage, Francis Moze, Mike Howlett...
) playing guitar. Oldfield later added his playing to the album by overdubbing his acoustic guitar at Worcester Cathedral
Worcester Cathedral
Worcester Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral in Worcester, England; situated on a bank overlooking the River Severn. It is the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Worcester. Its official name is The Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Mary the Virgin of Worcester...
.
The Orchestral Tubular Bells was not the only Mike Oldfield album that was orchestrated at the time, David Bedford also wrote the score for Oldfield's second album, Hergest Ridge
Hergest Ridge (album)
Hergest Ridge is the second record album by Mike Oldfield, released in 1974 on Virgin Records.Oldfield was not comfortable with the public attention that had come from the success of Tubular Bells, and retreated to the English countryside to work on the follow-up...
. However, The Orchestral Hergest Ridge
Hergest Ridge
Hergest Ridge is a large elongated hill which traverses the border between England and Wales between the town of Kington in Herefordshire and the village of Gladestry in Powys. Its highest point, which is in England, is 1397 feet high.- On Offa's Dyke Path :...
was never released to the public as an album. Excerpts from The Orchestral Hergest Ridge were also featured in the 1979 NASA film, The Space Movie
The Space Movie
The Space Movie is a documentary film produced in 1979 by Tony Palmer at the request of NASA, to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.The 78 minute film was released theatrically in 1980, on VHS in 1983 and on DVD in 2007...
.
Album cover
The album artwork depicts the "bent bell tube" image from Tubular Bells, originally by Trevor Key, in a partly blue/grey box, surrounded by a black border. Some later releases from 2003 have had the bell on a yellow/orange skyscape.Charts
| Chart (1975) | Position |
|---|---|
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
17 |
External links
- MikeOldfieldOfficial.com – The official Mike Oldfield website
- Mike Oldfield Discography - The Orchestral Tubular Bells at Tubular.net