Tubular Bells

Mike Oldfield;Piano Ensemble (Artist), Mike Oldfield (Composer, Conductor) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Conductor: Mike Oldfield
• Composer: Mike Oldfield
• Audio CD (April 1, 2008)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Brilliant Classics
• ASIN: B0012OVFHK
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #263,292 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Version for two pianos and two synthesizers

2. Version for four pianos

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Piano Ensemble version of Mike Oldfield classic, April 3, 2008

By 

Phil Hill (Framingham, MA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tubular Bells (Audio CD)

First, be warned that despite the cover with the big 4 on it this is NOT tubular bells 4. This album consists of two tracks each of which is an arrangement of the first half of the classic Tubular Bells (I). The first arrangement is for two pianos, and two synths; while the second is for four pianos. Both pieces are performed by "Piano Ensemble" which consists of two couples. I've never heard of any of them before, though that doesn't really mean much.
All said, the album is decent, the arrangements are interesting and played well. It is obvious that a lot of work went into producing this album, along with a lot of love for Oldfield.
All in all a decent album for the Mike Oldfield collector (which I am one), but don't be fooled, it's not Mike's latest and greatest version of Bells (which he has claimed he is never going to do).

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still a masterpiece., September 29, 2005

By 

Douglas Millhoff (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tubular Bells (Mlps) (Audio CD)

Mike Oldfield's first solo album, leading to a string of distinctive works spanning a decade before he drifted towards commercial mediocrity, remains a masterpiece.
As progressive as instrumental progressive rock gets.
We've all heard the opening piano-and-bells sequence in The Exorcist, but surprisingly few have listened to the equally-remarkable remaining 20 minutes of Part 1, much less Part 2.
Oldfield specializes in complex, overlapping, syncopated melodies and polyrhythms, foreshadowing the nouveau-classical works of Vangelis, Jean Michel Jarre, Steve Reich and many others.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful music, June 11, 2008

By 

Dr. Gcr Yates - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tubular Bells (Audio CD)

I am struck by the absolute timelessness of this music. We have loved it for 30 years, and now our children all love it too. This version is beautifully played, and having the two versions on the same CD is very interesting. I prefer the total piano version. Its a great record. Greg Yates in Adelaide, Australia.