As the World Cup kicks off, the surprising links between classical music and football come into focus. From Elgar's terraces to Pavarotti's iconic aria, these two worlds have intertwined for over a century.
Scotland's Melancholy Soundtrack
France '98 saw Scotland face Morocco, losing 3-0. The team's anthem, Del Amitri's Don't Come Home Too Soon, captured the melancholic mood. The BBC's use of Fauré's Pavane added to the apathy. England, despite the euphoria of Vindaloo and Three Lions, fell in the round of 16 after Beckham's red card.
Historical Connections
In 1898, Edward Elgar wrote He Banged the Leather for Goal! for his beloved Wolves, possibly the first football chant by a major composer. Dmitri Shostakovich, a devoted Zenit St Petersburg fan, inspired a 2016 pre-match show that led to a 4-2 victory. His Football March from The Golden Age captures the chaos of a match.
The Nessun Dorma Phenomenon
In 1990, the BBC used Pavarotti's Nessun Dorma for World Cup coverage. The aria's triumphant finale, with its extended high B, became synonymous with football glory. The Three Tenors performed it at a Rome concert before the final, where Germany beat Argentina 1-0.
Modern Anthems
Today, the White Stripes' Seven Nation Army unites fans globally, starting at Club Brugge in 2003. Though the riff is often linked to Bruckner's Fifth Symphony, Jack White actually created it during a sound check. Yet the connection feels real, keeping classical music alive on the terraces.
This week, Tom recommends {oh!}Orkiestra's recording of Mozart's 29th Symphony and Janiewicz's Fifth Violin Concerto, which sounds like collective improvisation.
