The Tubular Bells 50th Anniversary Tour (Double Disc) [DVD]

Product Information

Originally released on 25th May 1973, the Tubular Bells The 50th Anniversary Celebration tour will feature an expansive live group, arranged by Mike Oldfield’s long-term collaborator Robin A Smith. I met Mike by chance in 1991 after working with his sister Sally as a session musician on her album, Natasha. Mike told his sister that he needed someone who could play keyboards, understand modern programming and software, and be an arranger for the world premier of Tubular Bells 2. Mike was preparing to perform the concert outside Edinburgh Castle and broadcast it live around the world, and Sally felt the two of us would work well together.” Unusually, the almost sold out audience leapt to their feet and gave the band a standing ovation, we were only half way through! Mike Oldfield’s ‘Tubular Bells’ The 50th Anniversary Celebration, Brighton Dome 5.2.23 (pic Ian Bourn) Tubular Bells’ was created in 1971 and released in 1973. It was the debut studio album by English multi-instrumentalist, composer, and songwriter Mike Oldfield. The album, which was the first long player put out by Richard Branson’s Virgin Records, went on to become the highest selling instrumental album of all time. Mike Oldfield’s ‘Tubular Bells’ The 50th Anniversary Celebration, Brighton Dome 5.2.23 (pic Ian Bourn)

Robin has always loved German Composer, Carl Orff’s, Carmina Buranda, which was originally composed in 1935 for chorus and orchestra. The high point of the piece - the end of the record's first side - as Vivian Stanshall famously announces each of the instruments (his voice was recorded here) was faithfully reproduced. And there was surely more than one lump in the throat as the years fell away and the clanging tubular bells, situated centre stage, brought the show to its climax. Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells: A 50th Anniversary Celebration stopped off at The Sage Gateshead (Image: Manuel Harlan) Mike Oldfield’s multi-award-winning album Tubular Bells is to be performed in a reimagined version live in concert at The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham on Monday 13th February to celebrate the album’s 50th anniversary. We caught up with its arranger and conductor Robin Smith to find out more.Mike Oldfield’s ‘Tubular Bells’ The 50th Anniversary Celebration, Brighton Dome 5.2.23 (pic Ian Bourn) To celebrate next year’s 50th anniversary of Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells, the multi-million-selling and multi-award-winning album will be performed live in concert for a celebratory UK tour.

The reimagined version of Tubular Bells, premiered at the Royal Festival Hall, all over the UK in February and March with a fabulous team of musicians and support staff. We’re playing music including Ommadawn, Return to Ommadawn, excerpts from the Voyager Album and including Mike’s wonderful songs, Moonlight Shadow, To France and Family Man as well as my own composition the Gem. So far – we’ve had the most amazing audiences – so a huge thank you. It’s amazing to think that it’s 50 years since I started writing Tubular Bells, and I am touched that my music has reached so many people, all over the world, during that time. I am sure that the 50th Anniversary Live Concert Experience of Tubular Bells will be spectacular, theatrical, fantastical and thrilling, marking 50 years from when I started writing the music” Mike Oldfield It was premiered at the Royal Festival Hall in August 2021 to great acclaim, as an early celebration of Mike Oldfield’s stunning work – so to be touring the UK in the 50th year is a huge privilege for me and a perfect tribute to one of England’s greatest composers. She was introduced to the production company, Fiery Angel who, consequently, are now producing the show. From this opportune introduction the ideas grew and grew and have now resulted in the performances at the Royal Festival Hall in August 2021.The performance also features other works by Mike Oldfield including Moonlight Shadow, Summit Day, Family Man and Ommadawn. The performance alone makes Tubular Bells 50th Anniversary Tour worth getting for fans. The documentary makes a nice bonus for those who like to take a look behind the scenes at these kinds of productions.