Ralf Bienioschek Elevates The Recorder With Bohemian Rhapsody

The recorder often stirs mixed emotions among people, although it’s a commonly taught instrument in schools. The availability of good plastic recorders since the early 1960s has made it a cost-effective way to introduce children to music. Its portability and simplicity make it ideal for producing straightforward melodies.

A retired recorder teacher told NPR, “It is possible, with good teaching, to get a good sound out of the recorder quite quickly”. However, the challenge lies in the fact that many music teachers lack recorder training, and some students may struggle with it. To challenge the notion that recorders are instruments of torture, consider listening to the video below.

Ralf Bienioschek, the skilled musician behind the impressive recorder performance in the video, is well aware of the general dislike for poorly played and badly taught recorder music.

In his notes accompanying the video, he expresses, “Bohemian Rhapsody is probably the best-known and most popular song in rock history worldwide.
For over 20 years, I have repeatedly thought about adapting this song for recorders and bands without making myself or the instrument ridiculous.” Ralf’s success in this endeavor is evident.

By utilizing multiple different types of recorder, Ralf has created an impressive rendition of this iconic song, reshaping the way people perceive the recorder. The video, uploaded to his YouTube channel, marks a significant shift in the recorder’s reputation.

It has received plenty of positive comments as viewers applauded for what the band performed. One wrote, “It’s crazy, no matter how you present this song. It’s a true classic that I’ll replay and listen to for the rest of my life. Thank you for this rendition. It was special and beautiful.”

Another added, “Just when you think you have seen everything the internet has to offer, it delivers you something unique, entertaining, and absolutely fabulous.”