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Beatles forums => Songs => Topic started by: Xose on November 27, 2010, 11:57:59 PM

Title: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: Xose on November 27, 2010, 11:57:59 PM
According to this source (http://www.thebeatleshk.com/Discography/Albums/SgtPeppersLonelyHeartsClubBand.html) the cello players were Francisco Gabarró (=Spanish. He also performed the cello part on 'Yesterday' string quartet), Dennis Vigay, Alan Dalziel and Alex Nifosi.

So, if Francisco Gabarró is named in the first place, this means that he was the principal of the cello section, hence, situated at the very right corner of the conductor..., right??

Cello player #1:

(http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/6962/adayinthelife.jpg) (http://img137.imageshack.us/i/adayinthelife.jpg/)

Cello player #2, you can see his face and his left hand behind that violinist (=he shares the music stand with cello player #1):

(http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/6315/violonchelistaii.jpg) (http://img696.imageshack.us/i/violonchelistaii.jpg/)

Cello player #3, you can see his face behind that violinist and in the front middle of those two Double Bass players:

(http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/2397/violoncheloiii.jpg) (http://img529.imageshack.us/i/violoncheloiii.jpg/)

Cello player #4 (=he shares the music stand with cello player #3):

(http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/6226/71934893.jpg) (http://img217.imageshack.us/i/71934893.jpg/)

So, my hypothesis read:

From right to left of the photo, the cello players are Francisco Gabarró, Dennis Vigay, Alan Dalziel and Alex Nifosi...  ;)

Xosé
Title: Re: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: Hello Goodbye on November 29, 2010, 01:10:52 AM
(http://www.abrsm.org/images/spectrum3.jpg)

Currently, Denis (Dennis) Vigay is with The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music in London.  He's pictured in the back row, third from the right.
Title: Re: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: Xose on November 29, 2010, 09:25:19 AM
([url]http://www.abrsm.org/images/spectrum3.jpg[/url])

Currently, Denis (Dennis) Vigay is with The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music in London.  He's pictured in the back row, third from the right.


Excellent, HG... Thank you very much!! ;)

Pitty that the -presumed- Dennis Vigay in my photo has his face shadowed by the violinist...

Let's hope that other photos of all those cello players can surface...

Best!! ;)

Xosé
Title: Re: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: Bobber on November 29, 2010, 11:12:20 AM
There's footage of the recording of A Day In The Life. Maybe that gives us a better view on the players in the orchestra: The Beatles - A Day in the Life - Subtitulado en Español (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPhqKxZWRH4#)
Title: Re: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: Xose on November 29, 2010, 02:13:31 PM
There's footage of the recording of A Day In The Life. Maybe that gives us a better view on the players in the orchestra: The Beatles - A Day in the Life - Subtitulado en Español ([url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPhqKxZWRH4#[/url])


Yes, I know...

But the images go so quick that I can't see anything...  ???

Xosé
Title: Re: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: Bobber on November 29, 2010, 02:34:54 PM
Use the pause function. Plus you can take pictures from that.
Title: Re: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: Bobber on November 29, 2010, 02:38:22 PM
For instance:

(http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/7918/dayinlife.jpg)

(http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/2743/dayinlife2.jpg)
Title: Re: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: Xose on November 29, 2010, 02:46:55 PM
For instance:

([url]http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/7918/dayinlife.jpg[/url])

([url]http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/2743/dayinlife2.jpg[/url])


Excellent Bobber!! ;)

Three cello players at first shot and four at the second??  ???

Xosé
Title: Re: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: Bobber on November 29, 2010, 02:49:37 PM
On the first shot the bearded man in front (on the 2nd pic) is cut off.
Title: Re: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: Xose on November 29, 2010, 02:50:41 PM
Let's compare this photo:

([url]http://www.abrsm.org/images/spectrum3.jpg[/url])

Currently, Denis (Dennis) Vigay is with The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music in London.  He's pictured in the back row, third from the right.


With these ones:

For instance:

([url]http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/7918/dayinlife.jpg[/url])

([url]http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/2743/dayinlife2.jpg[/url])


Who would you say is Dennis Vigay??  ???

Xosé
Title: Re: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: Bobber on November 29, 2010, 03:00:00 PM
That is really hard to tell. I'll check some other sources tonight.
Title: Re: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: Xose on November 29, 2010, 03:01:26 PM
Yes, I know...

Anyway, I guess is one of the two cello players on the left (=#3 and #4). Why?? The first ones (=both with with glasses, and Dennis Vigay doesn' wear glasses at the current photo) seem to be already 'older' by 1967...

Thanks for your unvaluable help!! ;)

Xosé
Title: Re: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: Bobber on November 29, 2010, 03:08:47 PM
Dennis Vigay must be traceable. He will probably know the answer.
Title: Re: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: Xose on November 29, 2010, 03:17:06 PM
Dennis Vigay must be traceable. He will probably know the answer.

Oh yes... I tried to find him at the ABRSM in London site. No success so far, but won't be very difficult... ;)

Xosé
Title: Re: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: Hello Goodbye on November 29, 2010, 07:49:47 PM
Dennis Vigay must be traceable. He will probably know the answer.

Oh yes... I tried to find him at the ABRSM in London site. No success so far, but won't be very difficult... ;)

Xosé


Perhaps Mr. Vigay would like to reminisce.  You can try The National Youth Strings Academy where he's on the coaching team:

http://www.nysastrings.org.uk/nysacoachingteam.html (http://www.nysastrings.org.uk/nysacoachingteam.html)


and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields:  http://www.asmf.org/ (http://www.asmf.org/)
Title: Re: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: Hello Goodbye on November 29, 2010, 07:52:25 PM
Let's compare this photo:

With these ones:

Who would you say is Dennis Vigay??  ???

Xosé

I think he's the cellist on the far left.  That's why I posted a more recent picture of him.
Title: Re: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: Xose on November 29, 2010, 09:29:37 PM
Perhaps Mr. Vigay would like to reminisce.  You can try The National Youth Strings Academy where he's on the coaching team:

[url]http://www.nysastrings.org.uk/nysacoachingteam.html[/url] ([url]http://www.nysastrings.org.uk/nysacoachingteam.html[/url])


and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields:  [url]http://www.asmf.org/[/url] ([url]http://www.asmf.org/[/url])



Thnak you very much, HG!! ;)

I wrote to the NYSA. Let's hope they reply me...

Best!! ;)

Xosé
Title: Re: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: Xose on November 29, 2010, 09:32:06 PM
I think he's the cellist on the far left.  That's why I posted a more recent picture of him.

Yes: I agree...

Thank you!! ;)

Pitty we haven't found other photos of Gabarró, Dalziel or Nifosi...  :(

Xosé
Title: Re: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: Hello Goodbye on November 29, 2010, 11:07:40 PM
Well, Xose, while you're looking for pictures of Francisco Gabarró, Alan Dalziel and Alex Nifosi, let's enjoy The Wannabeatles with the Cool Springs Youth Orchestra performing A Day In The Life...

A Day In The Life Wannabeatles with the Cool Springs Youth Orchestra (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxh6OR1dvs0#)



...and Eleanor Rigby performed by Plattes/Price/Silverman/Westbrook String Quartet...

"Eleanor Rigby" performed by Plattes/Price/Silverman/Westbrook String Quartet (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maUERSknc1k#)
Title: Re: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: Hello Goodbye on November 29, 2010, 11:24:32 PM
...and the original string octet backing Paul McCartney's Eleanor Rigby...

The Beatles - Eleanor Rigby (Strings Only) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0p4qPmkVaw#)


Violins:  Tony Gilbert, Sidney Sax, John Sharpe and Jurgen Hess
Violas:  Stephen Shingles and John Underwood
Cellos:  Derek Simpson and Norman Jones
Title: Re: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: nyfan(41) on November 29, 2010, 11:28:57 PM
pretty cool stuff hello goodbye
no surprise, the best was the actual eleanor rigby backing track
-
but i was kind of disappointed by the a day in the life cover . . it seemed like a waste of the kids' talents in the orchestra - just using them for the crescendo over those adults' faithful but (sorry) kinda average cover version . .
i would have liked to hear them do she's leaving home to give the orchestra a chance to actually play something challenging
.
so i googled and found a version of long and winding road that lets those kids do their thing
The Long and Winding Road Wannabeatles with the Cool Springs Youth Orchestra 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW3jgl3kNFg#)
Title: Re: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: Hello Goodbye on November 29, 2010, 11:36:13 PM
Those kids are great!

I liked the string quartet too.
Title: Re: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: nyfan(41) on November 29, 2010, 11:40:56 PM


I liked the string quartet too.

yea, i just watched a second time
they rocked !
they are getting so into it and look like they're having some serious fun! - a few times nodding their heads to the pulsating beat like heavy metal headbangers !  ha2ha
Title: Re: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: Bobber on December 02, 2010, 07:52:54 AM
I had set my hopes on Bryan Kehew's book Recording The Beatles, but the same picture was used again.
Title: Re: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: Xose on February 15, 2011, 11:50:59 AM
Quote from: Xosé
By examining the original photo, I think I have identyfied the cello players #2 and #3.

#2: you can see his face and his left hand behind that violinist (=he shares the music stand with cello player #1):

([url]http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/6315/violonchelistaii.jpg[/url]) ([url]http://img696.imageshack.us/i/violonchelistaii.jpg/[/url])

#3: you can see his face behind that violinist and in the front middle of those two Double Bass players (=he shares the music stand with cello player #4):

([url]http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/2397/violoncheloiii.jpg[/url]) ([url]http://img529.imageshack.us/i/violoncheloiii.jpg/[/url])

So, my hypothesis read:

From right to left of the photo, the cello players are Francisco Gabarró, Dennis Vigay, Alan Dalziel and Alex Nifosi...


The son of Francisco Gabarró is living in Elche (=South East Spain) and has confirmed that the man at the photo is his father.

Gabarró was a pupil of Pau Casals and his son tells a very interesting anecdote regarding the recording of 'Yesterday'...

Xosé
Title: Re: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: peterbell1 on February 15, 2011, 09:49:44 PM
The son of Francisco Gabarró is living in Elche (=South East Spain) and has confirmed that the man at the photo is his father.

Gabarró was a pupil of Pau Casals and his son tells a very interesting anecdote regarding the recording of 'Yesterday'...

Xosé

OK Xosé, spill the beans!! What is the interesting anecdote re: Yesterday!!!   :P
Title: Re: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: Xose on February 15, 2011, 09:58:59 PM
This is what Gabarró's son said:

After recording 'Yesterday' for the first time, McCartney asked Gabby (=Francisco Gabarró) for his opinion (=Gabarró was the principal of the cello section at the London Philharmonic at those days...) Gabby said that, in his opinion, the melody should be recorded in a softer mood, that it had been a bit crisp...

A few days later, Gabarró was in Lleida because his mother had died. He received a telephone call telling that McCartney wanted to record the song again. Gabby said ok, but they will have to wait a few days, because his mother had dead. EMI wanted to do the recording inmediately but McCartney said no until Gabby return back to London. So, they waited for him a re-recorded the song again...

Strange story..., is it not??  ???

Xosé
Title: Re: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: peterbell1 on February 16, 2011, 01:25:29 PM
This is what Gabarró's son said:

After recording 'Yesterday' for the first time, McCartney asked Gabby (=Francisco Gabarró) for his opinion (=Gabarró was the principal of the cello section at the London Philharmonic at those days...) Gabby said that, in his opinion, the melody should be recorded in a softer mood, that it had been a bit crisp...

A few days later, Gabarró was in Lleida because his mother had died. He received a telephone call telling that McCartney wanted to record the song again. Gabby said ok, but they will have to wait a few days, because his mother had dead. EMI wanted to do the recording inmediately but McCartney said no until Gabby return back to London. So, they waited for him a re-recorded the song again...

Strange story..., is it not??  ???

Xosé


Excellent! Thanks for that.

According to Mark Lewisohn's Recording Sessions book, Paul did his two vocal/guitar takes of Yesterday on the evening of Monday 14 June 1965. The book doesn't make it clear whether or not the string quartet was overdubbed during the same session.
However, according to this website ...
http://www.beatlesebooks.com/yesterday (http://www.beatlesebooks.com/yesterday)
... the arrangement was written by Paul and George Martin on Tuesday 15th and the string session took place on Thursday 17th.
Lewisohn says that the song was mixed on that same date - Thursday 17 June - so I'm not sure when the second attempt at the strings, when Gabarro had returned from Spain, could have been.

There is a story on that website (and in the Lewisohn book) which says ....

"Paul ran into Francisco Gabarro a week later in the EMI canteen and thought to say something to him.  Gabarro recalls, “He came up to me and said, ‘We have a winner with that ‘Yesterday.’  I said, well, good luck!  Congratulations!"

Perhaps there was a second session with the strings AFTER the mixing done on 17th June which hasn't been noted by Lewisohn.
Title: Re: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: Bobber on February 16, 2011, 02:07:23 PM
That's a nice site to browse away the hours. There's a picture of Gabarro as well:

(http://www.beatlesebooks.com/account/images/autoresize.img?picture.image.url=%2Ffiles%2F1619622%2Fuploaded%2Ffrancisco+gabarro.jpg&picture.width.max=149&pid=1297805166336)
Title: Re: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: Xose on February 16, 2011, 03:12:51 PM
Excellent, peterbell1... Thank you very much!!  ;)

...According to Mark Lewisohn's Recording Sessions book, Paul did his two vocal/guitar takes of Yesterday on the evening of Monday 14 June 1965. The book doesn't make it clear whether or not the string quartet was overdubbed during the same session.
However, according to this website ...
[url]http://www.beatlesebooks.com/yesterday[/url] ([url]http://www.beatlesebooks.com/yesterday[/url])
... the arrangement was written by Paul and George Martin on Tuesday 15th and the string session took place on Thursday 17th.
Lewisohn says that the song was mixed on that same date - Thursday 17 June - so I'm not sure when the second attempt at the strings, when Gabarro had returned from Spain, could have been.

There is a story on that website (and in the Lewisohn book) which says ....

"Paul ran into Francisco Gabarro a week later in the EMI canteen and thought to say something to him.  Gabarro recalls, “He came up to me and said, ‘We have a winner with that ‘Yesterday.’  I said, well, good luck!  Congratulations!"

Perhaps there was a second session with the strings AFTER the mixing done on 17th June which hasn't been noted by Lewisohn.


I will have more news from Gabarró's son in the coming time. I will let you know...

Best regards!!  ;)

Xosé
Title: Re: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: Xose on February 16, 2011, 04:38:15 PM
On 15-20 February 1965, a professional Double Bass player instructed McCartney (=and even Ringo) in the basics of holding the underhand -aka French- DB bow:

(http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/7807/sdoublebass.jpg) (http://img528.imageshack.us/i/sdoublebass.jpg/)

(http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/3916/unknownew.jpg) (http://img12.imageshack.us/i/unknownew.jpg/)

(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a326/talanca/PIX/maccabass.jpg)

(http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/2901/feb65ringoconlaramrezde.jpg) (http://img812.imageshack.us/i/feb65ringoconlaramrezde.jpg/)

(http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/6229/ringol.jpg) (http://img257.imageshack.us/i/ringol.jpg/)

(http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/8296/maccag.jpg) (http://img14.imageshack.us/i/maccag.jpg/)

Two years later, McCartney plays a Double Bass line for 'All You Need Is Love' (http://web.mac.com/alubman/iWeb/Site/misc/AYNILFreakyOrch.mp3), bowing, pizzicato and hitting (=with Harrison on violin)...

Who was the Double Bass player at Abbey Road studios by 15-20 February 1965??

Best!!  ;)

Xosé
Title: Re: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: Bobber on February 17, 2011, 08:20:10 AM
Who's the guy pictured with Ringo? Could he be the bass player?
Title: Re: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: Xose on February 17, 2011, 09:19:05 AM
Who's the guy pictured with Ringo? Could he be the bass player?

That's Johnny Dean, Beatles Monthly Book publisher...  ;)

I guess that an orchestra was at Abbey Road studios by those days. But..., which one??

Xosé
Title: Re: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: Bobber on February 17, 2011, 09:20:27 AM
That's Johnny Dean, Beatles Monthly Book publisher...  ;)

Xosé

Ah! And did he know how to play the bass? Huh? ha2ha
Title: Re: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: Xose on February 17, 2011, 09:21:10 AM
 ha2ha

I guess that an orchestra was at Abbey Road studios by those days. But..., which one??

Xosé
Title: Re: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: Xose on February 17, 2011, 09:40:12 AM
McCartney used the bow by those days. Brian Kehew - Kevin Ryan, Recording The Beatles, Houston, Curvebender, 2008, p. 394, a note in George Martin's hand for the 20 February session reads:

"...That Means a Lot
Track 1: George on Spanish acoustic
John on Fender
Drums + bass

Track 2: Paul bowing bass guitar
Ringo tom tom (w/echo)
And beginning only John on Fender..."


IMHO an orchestra was at Abbey Road (=probably Studio 1) by those days, but...., which one??

Xosé
Title: Re: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: Hello Goodbye on February 17, 2011, 09:22:35 PM
IMHO an orchestra was at Abbey Road (=probably Studio 1) by those days, but...., which one??


Xose, as I mentioned a couple of months ago in your "The beginnings of Paul McCartney's bass playing" thread, The George Martin Orchestra was recording this album at Abbey Road Studios at that time...


(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/5d/Helpgeorgemartin.jpg)
Title: Re: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: Xose on February 17, 2011, 09:40:10 PM
Xose, as I mentioned a couple of months ago in your "The beginnings of Paul McCartney's bass playing" thread, The George Martin Orchestra was recording this album at Abbey Road Studios at that time...


([url]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/5d/Helpgeorgemartin.jpg[/url])


Oh yes... I forgot... Sorry abo' tha'...  >:(

So, if George Martin Orchestra was recording that álbum at that time, then I should find who were the Double Bass players...

Thank you very much!!  ;)

Xosé
Title: Re: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: thoms on July 09, 2013, 09:40:48 AM
The MU holds residuals for the next of kin of "Yesterday" cellist Francisco Gabarro.
We need to contact his son - P.A Gabarro I think - who seems to be in Elche, Spain according to earlier posts.
Any assistance would be appreciated.

Peter Thoms
Sessions Official
pt1@themu.org
MU HQ
60 — 62 Clapham Road
London SW9 0JJ

T    020 7840 5559


http://www.theMU.org (http://www.theMU.org)

 
Title: Re: 'A Day In The Life' cello players
Post by: soundmanjohn on August 24, 2014, 03:18:30 PM
([url]http://www.abrsm.org/images/spectrum3.jpg[/url])

Currently, Denis (Dennis) Vigay is with The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music in London.  He's pictured in the back row, third from the right.


You might like to know that the lady in the grey skirt in the centre of the back row is the 'cellist Andrea Hess, daughter of the violinist Jürgen Hess. She's also a session musician and a respected chamber music player and soloist.

Regards

John