Smith,Robin A Tubular Bells: Reimagined - 50Th Anniversary CD

Mike Oldfield and I first met in 1992 when I was invited to be the Musical Director and Conductor for the live premier and live broadcast of Tubular Bells 2 from Edinburgh Castle in Scotland. It was the start of a long working relationship, which continued with Voyager, Tubular Bells , The Millennium Bell and the 2012 Olympic Games opening ceremony. I became a fan of Tubular Bells when it was first released in 1973. It's ingenious uniqueness and how Mike wove together so many different genres into one complete work was mesmerising and captivating, and it still is. With a successful career as an arranger I revel in the challenge and pleasure of creating new landscapes and new ways of looking and listening to cherished works. My personal connection to Tubular Bells and Mike Oldfield is deep. In this new work, every melodic note is true to Mike's original - embellished with colours and textures to heighten emotion and drama. This re-imagining culminated in this album and ten superbly executed performances at the Royal Festival Hall in London in 2021. This album is for Mike's true fans and all who will follow.