"William Tell Overture" is a single by musician

Mike Oldfield Mike may refer to: Animals * Mike (cat), cat and guardian of the British Museum * Mike the Headless Chicken, chicken that lived for 18 months after his head had been cut off * Mike (chimpanzee), a chimpanzee featured in several books and document ...

, released in 1977. It is a rendition of the last movement (''Allegro molto'') from

Gioachino Rossini Gioachino Antonio Rossini (29 February 1792 – 13 November 1868) was an Italian composer who gained fame for his 39 operas, although he also wrote many songs, some chamber music and piano pieces, and some sacred music. He set new standards ...

's ''

William Tell Overture The ''William Tell'' Overture is the overture to the opera '' William Tell'' (original French title ''Guillaume Tell''), whose music was composed by Gioachino Rossini. ''William Tell'' premiered in 1829 and was the last of Rossini's 39 operas, a ...

'', played in a deliberately much slower arrangement than Rossini's original piece. This version of the ''William Tell Overture'' did not have much of an impact on the UK charts. It is the first of the two non-album singles released by Mike Oldfield in 1977.

B-sides

The UK B-side was "Argiers", which had previously been the European b-side for an earlier Oldfield single "

Portsmouth Portsmouth ( ) is a port and city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire in southern England. The city of Portsmouth has been a unitary authority since 1 April 1997 and is administered by Portsmouth City Council. Portsmouth is the most dens ...

". "Argiers" had been recorded in January 1976 at Througham and features

Leslie Penning Les Penning is a British folk musician and composer, best known for his work with Mike Oldfield on the album ''Ommadawn'' and several of Oldfield's singles. He is credited with introducing Oldfield to medieval music through their time playing to ...

on recorders. Some European versions included the track "First Excursion" as the B-side, however in Brazil the B-side was "Portsmouth". The B-sides were taken from Oldfield's Collaborative/Remix box set, '' Boxed''.

Track listing

UK

VS 167 # "William Tell Overture" (Gioachino Rossini) – 3:55 # "Argiers" (Traditional) – 3:59

Europe

17 480 AT / VIN 45010 # "William Tell Overture" (Gioachino Rossini) – 3:53 # "First Excursion" (

David Bedford David Vickerman Bedford (4 August 1937 – 1 October 2011) was an English composer and musician. He wrote and played both popular and classical music. He was the brother of the conductor Steuart Bedford, the grandson of the composer, painter ...

, Mike Oldfield) – 5:57

Russia

6079 201 # "William Tell Overture" (Gioachino Rossini) # "

" (Traditional)

Release and promotion

The single was released in February 1977, yet earlier Oldfield referred to the single in the ''

Record Mirror ''Record Mirror'' was a British weekly music newspaper between 1954 and 1991 for pop fans and record collectors. Launched two years after the '' NME'', it never attained the circulation of its rival. The first UK album chart was published in '' ...

'' noting that it was planned for release in January; "I've recently recorded a version of the "William Tell Overture". It's a real rouser and it should be out in January." An advert produced for the single read: "The new single from the more whimsical side of Mike Oldfield. You clog-danced to "In Dulci Jubilo". You crashed through the ceiling to "Portsmouth". Now hear "William Tell Overture" by Mike Oldfield. It'll shake you to the core."

Promotional video clip

The music video for The William Tell Overture consists of eight incarnations of Oldfield performing the song on different instruments. A complex multi-split screen technique was used. The effect is as if a room full of Oldfields were playing together.

References

{{Authority control 1977 singles Mike Oldfield songs Compositions by Gioachino Rossini Overture Oldfield Virgin Records singles