Ravel’s Boléro multi-tracked on wine glasses looks (and sounds) breathtaking

10 August 2016, 13:43

This glass harp rendition turns Ravel's orchestral masterwork into something fantastically eerie.

No need to clear away your empties when Italian musician Robert Tiso is around. He reimagines classical masterpieces in a most unusual but captivating way – with wine glasses.

In this multi-track of Ravel’s much-loved work, Robert manages to beautifully recreate the sounds of a whole orchestra – even including that iconic snare drum.

Here’s the whole thing:

The glass harp (also sometimes called the ghost fiddle or musical glasses) was invented in 1741 by Richard Pockrich. It is played by rubbing fingertips around the rims of wine glasses, which are tuned by adding different levels of water.  The result is an ethereal, beautiful sound – perfect for Ravel’s meditative melodies.  

See more of Robert Tiso’s awe-inspiring glass harp renditions on his YouTube channel including Bach’s Toccata and Fugue and Schubert’s Ave Maria.