Wednesday, August 21, 2013

The Portsmouth Sinfonia | 20 Classic Rock Classics











The Portsmouth Sinfonia
20 Classic Rock Classics
12" vinyl record, 33rpm
Berlin, Germany: Philips, 1979
Edition size unknown


The Portsmouth Sinfonia was an orchestra founded in 1970 by a group of students at the Portsmouth School of Art in England, and their professor, Gavin Bryars. They were commonly known as the "World's Worst Orchestra", and it was rumoured that anyone could join, regardless of their musical skills. In fact, it was a requirement that players had to be non-musicians, or at least perform on an instrument with which they were not familiar.

The group achieved a cult following and even a top ten hit, with a Stars on 45 style disco medley, or Muddley as it was dubbed.

This is their final recording, as the Orchestra (while never officially disbanding) ceased activity later that year. Tracks include The Who's Pinball Wizard, The Kinks' You Really Got Me, A Day in the Life by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones' (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction.



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