Queen Post ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ Covers by Choir, String Quartet
Queen are celebrating the 40th anniversary of their seminal track “Bohemian Rhapsody” with reinterpretations of the song performed by the Trinity Boys Choir and a string quartet comprising students from the Royal Academy of Music.
Unsurprisingly, the operatic rock opus makes fitting fodder for the Trinity choir. The group’s deft harmonies shine as they maneuver through the meticulous vocal interplay of the song’s famous midsection before nailing the final, lofty, “For me!”
The Behn Quartet’s rendition is equally impressive, especially for an instrumental interpretation of a song rooted in Freddie Mercury’s astonishing vocals. Arranged by Royal Academy of Music composition alum Charlie Piper, the quartet — which features final year students Kate Oswin, Alicia Berendse, Lydia Abell and Ghislaine McMullin — channels Mercury’s playfulness and melodrama into a sweeping performance as grand as the original.
Along with the Trinity Boys Choir and Behn Quartet, Queen also tapped the English National Ballet for a reinterpretation of “Bohemian Rhapsody” that features Lead Principal Erina Takahashi and First Soloist James Forbat performing a dance choreographed by James Streeter.
Queen released “Bohemian Rhapsody” on October 31st, 1975. The song became the group’s first Number One single and U.K. Christmas Number One; the track was re-released in 1991 after Mercury’s death and became the only single to top the U.K. charts twice, both regularly and on Christmas.