Classical Interpretations
In March there was a performance by the Noord Nederlands Orkest, where they played “classical interpretations” of some of Armin van Buuren’s most popular Trance tracks. These interpretations were done by a guy named Tom Trapp.
The track list went like so:
- Hymne
- In And Out Of Love
- Zocalo (guest Eller van Buuren)
- Touch Me
- The Sound Of Goodbye
- Wall Of Sound
- Serenity
- Blue Fear
- Exhale
- Shivers
- Communication
- In And Out Of Love (Encore)
Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a fan of Armin van Buuren. I also quite like classical music, so when I heard this event was going to happen I was super excited to see what would come of it. It’s something I’ve had in my mind for quite a few years as being something that would be really interesting to hear (Trance, redone properly as classical).
That being said, I don’t think Armin is exactly the best track producer out there. Not his originals at least. Of those tracks, the only originals that I really think are strong are Zocalo, Serenity, and Communication. I much prefer the remixes he does, than his original work. Blue Fear is right up there with Tiesto’s Flight 643 in my book of “tracks that I can’t believe anyone would actually like.”
Back to the subject at hand… the classical interpretations. I was really, really disappointed to hear how this turned out. I thought it was the worst of both dance music and classical.
The first thing that struck me was the tempo. Trance typically runs in the 134-140 BPM range. A good dance rhythm, but you’d be hard pressed to find any piece of classical music that runs that fast. Instead of adapting the tempo to something more appropriate, he stuck to the originals.
Along with the bad tempo is the fact that they’re using an electronic drum kit, I’m almost sure. Since when is that part of an orchestra? Or this weird instrument that almost has to be synthesized that they’re using in Zocalo.
It really didn’t sound like a classical interpretation so much as the original tracks, played with orchestra instruments. The notes in trance tracks are actually typically fairly long, but they use an effect that cuts the note to go with the beat. This doesn’t come across the same when it’s a trumpet doing it.
What would have made it much cooler for me, is if they’d have actually transitioned between the tracks as opposed to playing them as one-offs. Some really interesting stuff could have been done there. The ultimate here would to to have two actual orchestras and the director directing the transition.
Two of the tracks were actually done fairly well: Zocalo and Serenity. I’m not too surprised that Serenity turned out, considering the melody for that track was written by Jan Vayne, a classical composer.
In case you’re looking to hear it yourself… it’s really not too hard to find. Google It.
