The Sjællands Symfoniorkester under Jesper Nordin plays Ravel’s Boléro in the hall of Copenhagen Central Station on May 2nd 2011.
Maurice Ravel wrote his Boléro in 1928 after traveling to the United States. The piece was originally called Fandango and intended as a ballet for Ida Rubinstein, who commissioned it. Already Ravel’s best known piece, it gained additional notoriety (and sales) when it was used in the 1980 Bo Derek movie “10.” Since the movie used it as the background to a love scene, this is what it became associated with for a while.
When performing the Boléro, it is important that the tempo never increases, an immense temptation for the conductor. Even Toscanini got this wrong when he conducted it the first time!
Hat tip: ESR.
Vivat! Crescat! Floreat! 