Intrigued by the last comment, I had to check this out. I normally hate string versions of popular music (yes, that includes Apocalyptica, although all I know is there very early work when they were just doing Metallica covers), but that is an incredibly tasty interpretation. Who are these guys?
No clue. A quick Google doesn’t turn up any listings on the Yamato String Quartet in English. I found them at random, looking for a decent alternative in the genre to contrast with glowacks (and yes, sir/ma’am, we’ll agree to disagree!).
I am not a fan of string arrangements either*. But I liked the tones I heard on this one. I have no deep experience picking apart string quartet tones, but each just worked for my ears, again, esp with that cello. Really well mic’d, too.
*i really end up treating them as separate music. Rock is based on danger, so the type of danger that a specific interpretation can deliver matters. Formal classical string arrangements are capable of danger, but of such a different nature than Rock danger that it sticks out.
Those 2Cello guys sum it up for me. Here’s Thunderstruck: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uT3SBzmDxGk
By the time they deliver a level of rock-type danger commiserate with the hard swagger of the AC/DC original, they’ve gone pretty far towards Stunt Cello.
I have no clue - are these guys respected? If they fill seats, is it new flavor hype or respect?
A quick check of the Wiki page on 2Cellos turns up appearances on Glee, Ellen, a tour with Elton John, etc: 2Cellos - Wikipedia
So, well respected as musicians, making a good buck selling music crowds want to hear. Great for them. I am sure they are a good live show, although all the horse hair coming off their bows would be a distraction ;).
[added bolding mine]
Missed this incorrect autocorrect: should be commensurate.
So there I was, curled up with my sweetheart: my sweetheart who was raised in a convent, studied cello at le Conservatoire, earned her keep playing bass in a symphony, and played cello in a chamber music consortium. Being the romantic type, I turned on the 2Cellos Thunderstruck vid. She laughed at the irony and liked the costumes, but didn’t like the music at all, and considered their cello playing to be a form of abuse. In short, a novelty act by performers who were skilled cellists.
I guess asking if 2Cellos are respected is a bit like asking if Liberace was respected, who noted that, “I don’t give concerts, I put on a show.” Well, 2Cellos ain’t Yo Yo Ma, but they’re highly entertaining. So yes, they are respected for what they do, but are not at the top of the classical cello playing world.
But that being said, it’s a big wide world out there, so here’s to folks like 2Cellos who grab the tiger by the peg-box and give it a swing.
She probably won’t like Apocalyptica’s take on Peer Gynt then.
I have to say, don’t like the 2Cellos. Not good music, not funny, not entertaining to me. There are many great covers of Zeppelin’s songs, but not from them.
Best Zeppelin cover is probably the Lovemongers doing Battle Evermore. (Yes, they are the Wilson sisters of Heart)