Some songs are so timeless that they become bastions for the ultimate musicianship, and are used to compare other songs that enter the musical world henceforth. The iconic English rock band, Queen, had many of these hits, but none quite so striking as “Bohemian Rhapsody”. A complex and eclectic arrangement, to say the least, it quickly became an iconic track in many parts of the globe.
“Bohemian Rhapsody” is also used to demonstrate extreme skill in an instrument, or to show off vocal ranges that Freddie Mercury himself would have been proud of. On Australia’s Battle Of The Choirs grand final in 2008, three choirs faced head-to-head, at the same time, and performed Queen’s unmistakable classic to the nation whilst competing. Watch the incredible performance in the video below:
Right off the bat, it’s clear that all three choir acts in this grand final have an abundance of talent and deserve their place in competing for the grand prize. However, as the performance begins, the three come together to create one incredible collective that bellows out the immortal Queen song in tear-jerking beauty. Picking a winner out of these three must have indeed been difficult!
Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” had a drastic impact on the world of music, both up to and after Freddie Mercury’s untimely death. Not only do many artists and bands pin the song as one of their biggest inspirations, but the same can be said for individuals the world over, leading to covers aplenty of this rock classic. The Australian musical ensemble Ten Tenors did a terrific job at covering “Bohemian Rhapsody”, and you can view their viral rendition here:
Not only does the trio of choirs in Australia’s Battle Of The Choirs final sound exhilarating and beautiful at the same time, but each collective performs excellently throughout. In each section, each choir is given a chance to shine and take the wheel, which would ultimately be their critical moment in winning the grand prize or walking home empty-handed.
The competing choirs were not the only impressive aspect of this Australian competition, however. Arranged by George Tobay, the backing instrumental musicians and ensembles provided the backbone to the choir’s performances, and are truly commendable. The song is even accompanied by “Bohemian Rhapsody”’s iconic guitar solo, which put guitar virtuoso Brian May on the map.
What is perhaps the most impressive out of the entire performance is when the three choirs come together once more for the complex and catchy acapella section of the track. This moment in “Bohemian Rhapsody” is perhaps its most recognizable, and also the most difficult to pull off. And yet, all three choirs perform to the best of their ability and deliver their individual sections with expertise and precision, while clearly having fun and bouncing off one another in the process.
Ultimately, there can only be one winner, which was the University of Newcastle Chamber Choir. The group won an astounding $100,000, and a recording deal with none other than Universal Music. If you would like to see more from Newcastle Chamber Choir, you can follow them on Facebook.