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Russ Hewitt & Bucharest All Star Orchestra: Palma De Mallorca (Symphonic) *click link to go to YouTube for the Hi-Definition version
Spotify link: Palma De Mallorca (Symphonic)
Truly a global project, the orchestra was recorded at SGO Music Factory Studio in Bucharest, Romania, while the band was recorded at Savannah Street Studio in Denton, Texas. In Romania, current director at Bucharest National Opera, Tiberiu Soare, conducted the session, with Ric Flauding serving as the Artistic Director of Recording. While in Texas, the band was recorded by Bob Parr, who also produced and mixed the track.
The project came together after Ionut Cosarca, the creative mind behind the Bucharest All-Star Orchestra, contacted Flauding, who suggested he check out my music because he thought it would be a great fit. Ionut agreed, and the project was born. Two songs were chosen. One was ‘Amor Perdido,’ which was released on the album ‘Chasing Horizons’ and the other is my latest release ‘Palma de Mallorca,’ from the CD ‘Bajo El Sol’ which is the original song re-imagined with strings. There is a full orchestra version of this song on YouTube that features the Irving Symphony Orchestra:
Ric Flauding arranged the strings for ‘Palma De Mallorca,’ as well as many of my other songs, including the string arrangements performed by the Irving Symphony Orchestra: Russ Hewitt & Irving Symphony Orchestra: Palma de Mallorca
Going under the name Bucharest All-Star Orchestra, the group comprises some of the most qualified and experienced musicians in Bucharest, including the National Symphony Orchestra. The goal of the orchestra is to rival the London Philharmonic Orchestra (and other orchestras) in their ability to record Pop, Rock, and Commercial music, along with the standard Classical repertoire. I’m honored to have my song chosen as one of the first to showcase their talent.
The other incredible musicians on this track include drummer Walfredo Reyes Jr (Santana, Steve Winwood, Chicago, Frank Gambale); bassist Bob Parr (Cher, Brian Setzer Orchestra, Barry White); and percussionist Rafael Padilla (Miami Sound Machine, Shakira, Gloria Estefan); and rhythm guitarist Alfredo Caceres (Gipsy Kings All-Stars, Hamed Nikpay).
The video was edited by Joslin Dsouza.