Classical Notes: August 20, 2008 Archive

Olympic Music Fever

Posted at 3:26 AM on August 20, 2008 by Ward Jacobson

Like millions of others, I caught Olympic fever about the time Michael Phelps was on his fourth or fifth gold medal. Isn't it amazing how every four years you find yourself really getting into beach volleyball, water polo or the 400 meters? Now if only they showed more table tennis.

Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I can never hear enough of Leo Arnaud's classic Olympic theme, "Bugler's Dream." My only frustration is that NBC never seems to let it play out from start to finish. They're using the John Williams arrangement from several years ago, and it's fantastic. I just want to hear all of it!

Oh, and one more thing......anyone out there with any information about the arrangement being used for the Star Spangled Banner during the U.S. gold medal ceremonies? It's one I've never heard before - a bit different, for sure.