GDG- Live Firing

[Smith, David [USA]]

This reminds me of one of my favorite Calvin and Hobbes cartoons,
perhaps the first I ever saw.
 
Hobbes is sitting in a room looking at a record cover.  Calvin comes in
and says, "Whatcha listening to?"  Hobbes says, "1812 Overture."  Calvin
listens for second and says, "That's some percussion section."  Hobbes
says "Those are cannon."  Calvin gets a look of amazement on his face
and says, "And they play this in crowded music halls!  And I thought
classical music was boring!"
 
And just to make a connection, cannon were also used at Gettysburg.  :-)
 
David G. Smith
 

Date: Mon, 4 Feb 2008 13:24:02 -0500

From: "Gitt, Doug" <dgitt at state.pa.us>

Subject: GDG- Re: Live firing video

 

In 1958 or so, the Mercury Living Presence record label recorded the
"1812 Overture", supposedly the first recording to use actual cannon.

The cannon was a period bronze tube from the USMA (West Point)
collection. There is a "sound effects" cut of several firings (of
blanks) of the cannon using different microphone locations, charges,
etc. The firing selected for the recording does give one's sound system
a workout...

Doug