1812 Overture

[Elphaba]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 3:14pm

anyone have a favorite recording that uses actual cannons?
I have the TELARC Kunzel Cincinnati Symphony Orch cd, that uses "digital" cannons, but I remember one as a child that uses real ones.
Any ideas?

[HeidiPuck]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 3:42pm

I wouldn't call it a "favorite" or even "good" but I actually did a performance of 1812 with a real cannon. Lots of fun - until the fire department got called to investigate all the explosions!

Other than that, I've never heard any with real cannons.

[Elphaba]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 3:58pm

hehe, I'll bet that was fun. My parents owned a recording on vinyl using real cannons, and now in their 80's they cannot remember who did it.

[cturtle]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 5:03pm

undoubtedly this famous recording, now almost 50 years old but sounding as powerful as i remember it as a child ...

the recording also includes WELLINGTON's VICTORY by BEETHOVEN which also uses canon and gunfire from west point.
minnesota orchestra conducted by antal dorati

Updated On: 12/16/06 at 05:03 PM

[The Grovers Corners Yenta]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 5:42pm

I really don't know of any recordings with a cannon. however, many years ago I played with a band at an outdoor concert and we actually had a cannon going off a few times in the distance. It was a fantastic esperience.

[Elphaba]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 5:56pm

thank you ct!!! I recognize the cover, and that's it! And with an Amazon gift certificate from work, I am thrilled!!! Thanks!

[cturtle]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 6:00pm

yay! hope you enjoy it :)

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 2:25am

lol When I playd it, we just had someone hit a drum as hard as he could.

[Elphaba]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 2:29am

er, not the same chinkie

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 2:33am

no kidding...:-p

Actually, I think I wouldn't have been able to play if we did have an actual cannon because I have a phobia of loud noises (from guns, cannons, ect).

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 2:38am

When I was a kid we used to go to the Hollywood Bowl and they would play this around the 4th with Fireworks (at least I think).

"Boom" and then "Boom".

[Elphaba]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 2:41am

Deb, they do that in most major cities. Chicago always had a good performance of that during July 4

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 2:43am

True, but there is something special about the Hollywood Bowl.

It has gotta be something about the shell.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 5:15pm

When the Boston Pops performs this at Tanglewood in the summer, they use real cannons. You can go over and inspect them prior to the performance. They also use real church bells. The various churches in Lenox cooperate with the project. I guess without walkie talkies this wouldn't be possible.

There's a story of a recording done using real cannons and the impact blew out the windoes of the concert hall they were using for the recording. I wish I could remember the details.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 12/18/06 at 12:44pm

Toronto Symphony usta do this @ the Ontario Place outdoor amphitheatre. They'd use the cannons from the de commissioned HMS Haida nearby. It was incredibly thrilling.( and a little scary WOW are the canons loud!)

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 12/18/06 at 1:52pm

I would love to see it done with real cannons. There's a recording I have of the A Cappella group the Swingle Singers doing it, and they have to vocally produce the church bells and cannons. It's pretty convincing!