I have been listening to alternating interpretations of orchestras doing my favorite song “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” I have found that upon listening to two different versions—one by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and another by the London Philharmonic Orchestra. The London Phil does a beautiful job without pulling out all the stops and making the original tune be buried in the flutter of all the activity surrounding the orchestral texture.
The royal phil does a great job. Don’t get me wrong, but they are kind of over the top with all the frills and such. The London Phil does the song plain with very minor adjustments so that it just as singable as the original tune. I love how they break each instrument of the orchestra into sections on the verses. First, the cello comes in solo and does the first verse. Then, first violins do the second verse. The whole piece culminates in French horns taking on the climax. Very powerful things are in this arrangement but it’s not overpower the originality of the song.
It’s as every bit as silvery and sweet as would be the original piece but it maintains a certain welcomed restraint that would leave room for perhaps a voice to enter in singing the song. In short, the London Phil does the job justice. It is a pleasure to both listen to and sing along with.
The Royal Philharmonic has some interesting instrumentation though. In the second verse, there is what appears to be a piccolo trumpet doing the notes in the verse. It’s a welcome touch in the sea of strings that accompany it. The added chorus in the chorus line (“Like a bridge over troubled water) sings ah in the background with the melody which has a haunting quality of sorts. The choir does the E-flat chord to double in the strings at the very end. The rapid notes in the trumpets and woodwinds, for instance, when the song says “I’ll take your part” or “See how they shine?” is a bit on the excessive side.
Nonetheless, if I had to choose one or the other, I would choose the London Philharmonic’s version for its simplicity of style and the room it gives by not being too overfilled with extra instrumental material. Take a listen to this. It’s on Youtube under London Philharmonic Orchestra and the album is entitled The Music of Simon and Garfunkel. Your ears will surely be blessed.
