THE SMITHS, Oasis, Bob Dylan, Sex Pistols, ABBA, Queens, Elbow and Take That have all been given a going over by famed Manchester orchestra, the Hallé.
"The Hallé performs all over the world, and gives over fifty concerts a year around the UK. But it takes greatest pride in the 70 or more concerts we give each year in Manchester."
The Hallé have recorded this special arrangement, honouring the city's robust musical history, to celebrate the tenth birthday of the five-star Radisson Blu Edwardian Free Trade Hall Hotel (opened in the mid-nineteenth century the Free Trade Hall was also the former home of the Hallé).
The piece, penned by Paul Campbell, references classical pieces from Weber to Elgar, alongside famous past performers in the Free Trade Hall, such as Bob Dylan and the Sex Pistols, and distinctive Manc classics from The Smiths, Oasis and Take That (all artists and tracks featured are listed below).
Listen here:
Stephen Miles, General Manager of Radisson Blu Edwardian Manchester Hotel said: “As a hotel that is proud of its heritage and the city’s creative and musical traditions, and that attracts some of the biggest musical stars to this day, partnering with The Hallé seems the perfect celebration of the hotel’s tenth anniversary.”
The hotel, embracing the buildings rich musical past, has named its 24 luxurious suites after numerous famous names that have passed through the grand entrance of the Free Trade Hall, including Shirley Bassey, Bob Dylan, Bryan Ferry and David Bowie.
The Hotel
Full list of artists and tracks featured :
Weber, Der Freischutz Overture - the first piece ever performed by the Halle at the Free Trade on 30 Jan 1858.
Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen performed at the Free Trade Hall on 26 Nov 1975.
Bob Dylan, Mr Tambourine Man - Dylan performed at the building on 7 May 1965 and 17 May 1966.
Shirley Bassey, Big Spender - Bassey performed at the Free Trade on 11 May 1976.
Rachmaninoff, Variation 18 from Paganini Rhapsody - The Halle performed the English premiere of this on 7 March 1935 with Rachmaninoff himself on piano.
Sex Pistols, Anarchy in the UK - The Pistols performed one 'of the most influential performances of all time' at the Free Trade on 4 June 1976.
The Smiths, There is a Light that Never Goes Out - A decade after watching the Sex Pistols at the building, Morrissey returned with The Smiths to perform in 1986.
Bee Gees, How Can You Mend a Broken Heart? - The Bee Gees spent most of their childhoods in Chorlton, Manchester.
Elbow, One Day Like This - formed in Bury in the early 90s.
Elgar, Variation 2 from Variations on an Original Theme for Orchestra - The Halle performed the premiere of Elgar's Symphony No.1 at the Free Trade on 3 Dec 1908.
Oasis, Don't Look Back in Anger - Formed in 1991, Oasis were the most famously Manc of all Manchester's famous bands.
Take That, Rule The World - The country's most famous ever boyband fomred in Manchester in 1989.
Sibelius, Symphony No.2 Finale Theme - The Halle performed the Uk premiere in 1905.
ABBA, Thank you for the Music - ABBA performed at the building on 11 Feb 1977.
