Tubular Bells
Composer: Mike Oldfield
Performed by:Piano Ensemble
Elizabeth and Marcel Bergmann, Jeroen and Sandra van Veen
• Mike Oldfield is one of those names known to a wide variety of music lovers. But there must be many more who have not come across his instrumental music or simply have not allowed themselves to get acquainted with it. But they might like it!
• Oldfield does not compose ‘serious’ music and as such is not a part of the ‘classical’ world. But his work is inventive and does sound good. And it has some similarities with minimal music, which still enjoys increasing popularity. So much so that Oldfield’s best-known composition, Tubular bells, will be played during the coming Rodeo 2008 Festival in Calgary, Canada, this January.
• Pianist Marcel Bergmann arranged Tubular Bells for multiple keyboards a couple of years ago. His version for four grands will be played in Canada. This is recorded here as well. Together with a ‘cheaper’ version replacing two of the pianos with two synthesizers. Both shedding a different light on the music.
• Performers are the arranger Bergmann and his wife Elizabeth. They are joined by the Dutch couple Jeroen and Sandra van Veen, who internationally are great promoters of minimal music for piano(s). So if you do not have the opportunity to attend one the five performances in Calgary by the same (but one) performers, listen to this CD. You might like it.
Mike Oldfield (*1953)
Tubular Bells Part 1
1. Version for two pianos and two synthesizers 24:42
2. Version for four pianos 24:58
All arrangements by Marcel Bergmann, Canada
Piano Ensemble
