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Khachaturian — Sabre Dance
Album: Vienna Philharmonic (cond: Khachaturian)
Avg rating:
7.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 970









Released: 1939
Length: 2:21
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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(Instrumental)
Comments (249)add comment
This would have worked well for a Looney Tunes cartoon! 
Posted 1 month ago by nelsonha    [ Reply ]
I'm always missing the final chord....waiting forever. 
Posted 3 years ago by rafiki    [ Reply ]
Billy Wilder used this with great effect in the opening scene of the film "One, Two, Three."
Posted 5 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
That has to be the longest 2:22 minutes I've heard (and that's a good thing)!!!
Posted 5 years ago by mrtuba9    [ Reply ]
Hah! This piece really got under the skin of some of the mellow hippies, rocknrollers and country goodol'boys! {#Tongue}
This is what makes RP so outstanding; Expect the Unexpected! -Keep 'em commin' Bill!

/MvE
Posted 6 years ago by maxvonevil    [ Reply ]
Pretty Wacky to drop this in the mix. I grew up with random combinations of music. This one cracks me up.
Posted 6 years ago by bemuse    [ Reply ]
I always think of Pee Wee's big adventure when I hear this.
Posted 6 years ago by bindi    [ Reply ]
This is really fucking up my inner peace.
Posted 7 years ago by bhallmark    [ Reply ]

Posted 7 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]
 Artemis_Crow wrote:
Jesus god, you have 500 years' worth of classical music to choose from and you picked this piece? Ugh. Not at all enjoyable in the middle of the work day. Stress inducing. No good melody. Do you need suggestions on better stuff to play? This is awful.

 
Exactly
Posted 7 years ago by subfugitive    [ Reply ]
Oh Bill, this is why I love your work so very much. Enjoyed this a lot :)
Posted 7 years ago by pixeldude1    [ Reply ]
 Typesbad wrote:
Played this in High School.  Great song to be in the Trombone section.

 
Better than the clarinet section in 'Bolero'.
Posted 7 years ago by LizK    [ Reply ]
 Artemis_Crow wrote:
Jesus god, you have 500 years' worth of classical music to choose from and you picked this piece? Ugh. Not at all enjoyable in the middle of the work day. Stress inducing. No good melody. Do you need suggestions on better stuff to play? This is awful.

 
dance
Yes, tell Bill what to play to make the middle of your work day more enjoyable.
Posted 8 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 wgsu_1978 wrote:
This always reminds me of those plate spinning acts on The Ed Sullivan Show.

Oops, I see at least one person beat me to that observation. {#Laughing}
 
Radiohead's "Like Spinning Plates" should be up next!
Posted 8 years ago by jkamm14    [ Reply ]
 finsterboy wrote:
Let's Go Buffalo!
{#Dancingbanana_2}
 


Posted 8 years ago by xtalman    [ Reply ]
I always thought it'd be great if you followed this by Dave Edmonds/Love Sculpture doing Farandole.
Posted 8 years ago by Andybob    [ Reply ]
This always reminds me of those plate spinning acts on The Ed Sullivan Show.

Oops, I see at least one person beat me to that observation. {#Laughing}
Posted 8 years ago by wgsu_1978    [ Reply ]
saw dave Edmunds play this just him on a gretch white falcon by himself at bumbershoot in seattle years ago what a gas ! its also avaible on one of his later releases as well also a gas !
Posted 8 years ago by primm    [ Reply ]
Jesus god, you have 500 years' worth of classical music to choose from and you picked this piece? Ugh. Not at all enjoyable in the middle of the work day. Stress inducing. No good melody. Do you need suggestions on better stuff to play? This is awful.
Posted 8 years ago by Artemis_Crow    [ Reply ]
Let's Go Buffalo!
Posted 8 years ago by finsterboy    [ Reply ]
I'm watching Ed Sullivan show...where are elephants and spinning plates?

What about the hand puppets?  
Posted 8 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
New ringtone for when my wife calls
Posted 8 years ago by izycrzy    [ Reply ]
Played this in High School.  Great song to be in the Trombone section.
Posted 8 years ago by Typesbad    [ Reply ]
They should have used this piece as the soundtrack for the movie 10.
Ir would have been a hell of a lot more fun than that lethargic repetitious Bolero.
Mind you, Dud would have worn it out in 10 seconds. 
Posted 8 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
I second that!
Posted 8 years ago by NickDanger    [ Reply ]
RP is simply the best. Rock, jazz, classical, what more could one want.
Hey Bill, how about some comedy like The Firesign Theater? 
Posted 9 years ago by iloveradio    [ Reply ]
As a young classical violinist, we learned and performed this piece.  The slow section is the more difficult part to get right.  I think when you're young you don't appreciate the subtle color story, and would rather play the fun dance music.
Posted 9 years ago by lkovathana    [ Reply ]
Holy smokes...I'm either at the circus or in a Doris Day movie!
Posted 9 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Superb and inspired choice Bill!!!

 {#Bananajumprope}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Bananasplit}{#Boohoo}

How about we hear the Violin Concerto!!!
Posted 10 years ago by Will62    [ Reply ]
Hah, I took too long to post my comment!
Posted 10 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
 NoisyToys wrote:
Simpson's theme, anyone?
 
If you're looking for a Danny Elfman composition that REALLY sounds inspired by this song, try The Breakfast Machine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVdqwD_bcPs (from the Pee Wee's Big Adventure soundtrack)
Posted 10 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
 NoisyToys wrote:
Simpson's theme, anyone?
 
You'd have to ask Danny Elfman where his inspiration came from; I wouldn't be surprised if this piece is in there somewhere.
Posted 10 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 NoisyToys wrote:
Simpson's theme, anyone?
 
Or in Pee Wee's Big Adventure.
Posted 10 years ago by woriv    [ Reply ]
For some reason now want to go see the basement at the Alamo.
Posted 10 years ago by fiddler    [ Reply ]
Simpson's theme, anyone?
Posted 10 years ago by NoisyToys    [ Reply ]
I like to eat spaghetti to the beat
Posted 10 years ago by NuggetNectar    [ Reply ]
Sabre Dance - Dedicated to the bouncing ruble. :)
Posted 10 years ago by ico    [ Reply ]
 kingart wrote:
West Side Story for Cossacks. 

{#Roflol} Brilliant, and right on the money. (the Jets and Sharks got nuthin' on that.)


Posted 10 years ago by EarthMama    [ Reply ]
Is this the Ed Sullivan show? Plate spinners? Dog tricks?{#Confused}
Posted 10 years ago by gatorade    [ Reply ]
West Side Story for Cossacks. 
Posted 10 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
Someone get the Xanax.....
Posted 10 years ago by EarthMama    [ Reply ]
This is exactly the insistent sound my computer UPS makes when the battery is dying.
Posted 10 years ago by Geecheeboy    [ Reply ]
 BobLoblaw wrote:
I imagine this song is to aspiring slide whistlers what Stairway to Heaven is to high school guitarists.

 
{#Roflol}
Posted 11 years ago by handyrae    [ Reply ]
Thanks Bill....
Posted 11 years ago by janac13    [ Reply ]
I imagine this song is to aspiring slide whistlers what Stairway to Heaven is to high school guitarists.
Posted 11 years ago by BobLoblaw    [ Reply ]
bring a huge grin to my face every time!
Posted 11 years ago by Relayer    [ Reply ]

The right stuff at lunchtime!
10!


Posted 11 years ago by Der_Hamburger    [ Reply ]
It's a cut above the rest.
Posted 11 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]
How about Dave Edmunds and Love Sculpture's take on this tune?
Posted 11 years ago by RedGuitar    [ Reply ]
Go Sabres!
Posted 11 years ago by gfalkner    [ Reply ]
It's cool to hear this piece in it's entirety.{#Bananasplit}
Posted 11 years ago by lshinkawa    [ Reply ]
 Misterfixit wrote:
OMG!!!!   {#Drummer}  I just had the most incredible Flashback!!!  Sound, Smell, Colors!!!!  Check this out:  The Roosevelt Junior High School Band Spring Concert.  And this was our "Masterpiece".

It was a masterpiece all right.  Oh!  My!  Ghod!!

 
 
Bet your dad was very proud, MisterF! 
Posted 11 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
 Elroweho wrote:
I can see the plates spinning on those tall skinny sticks now!!
 
Yes - Ed Sullivan show - that's where I know this from
Posted 12 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]

Posted 12 years ago by TimeWaster    [ Reply ]
WOW, has Bill popped some blues!! {#Bananajumprope}
Posted 12 years ago by mgkiwi    [ Reply ]


wot.........no love sculpture?


Posted 12 years ago by prophetzarquon    [ Reply ]
 DoctorHooey wrote:
my favorite use of this music (toward the end):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ng3XHPdexNM
 
If that scene were a song on RP, I would rate it a solid "10".
The whole scene is simply dripping with the Coen Brothers' obvious JOY in film making.
Posted 12 years ago by ce    [ Reply ]
OMG!!!!   {#Drummer}  I just had the most incredible Flashback!!!  Sound, Smell, Colors!!!!  Check this out:  The Roosevelt Junior High School Band Spring Concert.  And this was our "Masterpiece".

It was a masterpiece all right.  Oh!  My!  Ghod!!

 
Posted 12 years ago by Misterfixit    [ Reply ]
GO BUFFALO SABS! CUP-CUP-CUP
Posted 12 years ago by glennypov    [ Reply ]

Perfect song for a Monday!  {#Wall}


Posted 12 years ago by jen3005545    [ Reply ]
I prefer the Roto-Rooter Goodtime Christmas Band (RRGCB) version.
Posted 12 years ago by PopKombo    [ Reply ]
 johnjconn wrote:


Dare I ask....... what's a mastrubating bear

(and don't say "it's a bear that mastrubates")
 
Google Conan masturbating bear and you will learn.
Posted 12 years ago by Zeito    [ Reply ]

Old Buffalo Sabers commercials.


Posted 12 years ago by xtalman    [ Reply ]
What a wacky segue...Perez Prado to Khachaturian. But that's why I listen to this station, for the unexpected.

Posted 12 years ago by softjeans    [ Reply ]
this is EXACTLY how my day feels today... didn't need the theme music to make me even more anxious...!  {#Stop}
Posted 12 years ago by sfearll    [ Reply ]
Soundtrack to all of our work environments in this day and age, eh? {#Mad}
Posted 12 years ago by d48m02h1918    [ Reply ]
Not hard to rate...    A TEN.

 
Posted 12 years ago by msymmes    [ Reply ]
I can see the plates spinning on those tall skinny sticks now!!
Posted 12 years ago by Elroweho    [ Reply ]
cowbell to non-stop timpani!  {#Beat}
Posted 12 years ago by mrtuba9    [ Reply ]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpqYU3Nzbts
Posted 12 years ago by trailhead    [ Reply ]
Fabulous!  Reminds me of my youth, my Mom played this often.
Posted 12 years ago by Foot    [ Reply ]
I always see this guy when I hear this song, now:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emSK1llHkZ4
Posted 12 years ago by jruhnke    [ Reply ]
The whole ballet is worth listening to, folks!     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gayane(ballet)

Interesting note near the bottom of that page:

Stanley Kubrick's film 2001: A Space Odyssey featured one of the less up-tempo sections of the Gayane music: the Adagio.

(In the jogging_around_the_artificial_gravity_wheel scene.)


Posted 12 years ago by Hasan    [ Reply ]
What is going on?  Funk, mambo #5, now this?

Posted 12 years ago by Ericocean    [ Reply ]
Ed Sullivan & jugglers..............right?
Posted 12 years ago by number7    [ Reply ]
Please don't play this again. It puts my nerves on edge.


Posted 12 years ago by gemtag    [ Reply ]
lol@ {#Beat}

Posted 12 years ago by rommi    [ Reply ]
Plate spinning?  Psssh.  My generation has the masturbating bear. 
Posted 12 years ago by govna    [ Reply ]
 iTuner wrote:
Really? On RP?
 
Why not? Especially right after Perez Prado. Bill likes to keep 'em guessing...

Posted 12 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
ok..flash back to ed sullivan and the guy spinning the plates on a stick to this song..
Posted 12 years ago by MoM$CooKin    [ Reply ]
Really? On RP?
Posted 13 years ago by iTuner    [ Reply ]
Wow... haha. Haven't heard this in ages. Thanks!
Posted 13 years ago by slr242    [ Reply ]
 Cynaera wrote:

I watched this, and I guess I'm clueless. Perhaps seeing the movie might help me understand.
 

Cynaera, "The Hudsucker Proxy" is really good. It's a Coen Brothers' salute to 40s screwball comedies. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hudsucker_Proxy

Tim Robbins plays a rube working in the mailroom of a huge corporation. Paul Newman's character, a member of the board, promotes the bumbling Robbins to be the President of the firm in an attempt to push the stock price down and take over the firm for himself. 

Things go awry when Robbins, in an attempt to actually succeed as President, puts out the hula-hoop...which becomes a huge hit, driving up the company's stock price. Hence the scene you watched on Youtube. 


Posted 13 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
Wow, this is the RP I loved and missed!! not the 24 hour Dillan / Young. {#Clap}
Posted 13 years ago by marzianito    [ Reply ]
 sirdroseph wrote:

This song always gives me a good chuckle.{#Lol}


 
Me too, or at least a grin.  Also have to give the orchestra props.  With such a fast tempo your timing has to be PRECISE!

Posted 13 years ago by DaMoGan    [ Reply ]
{#Dancingbanana}{#Dancingbanana} Yoohoo......Go rp.   {#Motor}{#Beat}   THIS GUY HAMMERS TO THE BEAT.
Posted 13 years ago by superfido    [ Reply ]
Cool. Could be followed by Billy Joel's "Stilleto" for a less frenetic, more psychotic interpretation of the theme.
Posted 13 years ago by stickvaughn    [ Reply ]

This song always gives me a good chuckle.{#Lol}


Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
 IrieTom wrote:
I grew up in western NY in the '70s- every time I hear this, I think of hockey.
 

Ah, yes — this song brings back memories of those great Buffalo Sabres teams from the 70s (I was a wee lad when the Sabres/Flyers played the infamous "fog" game in Buffalo, one of the weirdest games ever played. One of the Sabres players used his stick to bat down a bat that flew down to ice-level during that game). Anyway, a cool theme song for the team. Don't know if they still use it.


Posted 13 years ago by olivertwist    [ Reply ]
I grew up in western NY in the '70s- every time I hear this, I think of hockey.
Posted 13 years ago by IrieTom    [ Reply ]
 Tamster wrote:
WOW, I just did ALL of my housework while this song played........high energy !!!!
 
AHAHAH I just posted about the same sentiment!
Posted 13 years ago by jenakle    [ Reply ]
THAT will get your chores done FAST!! 
Posted 13 years ago by jenakle    [ Reply ]
WOW, I just did ALL of my housework while this song played........high energy !!!!
Posted 13 years ago by Tamster    [ Reply ]
I have this uncontrolable urge to do some plate spinning.
Posted 13 years ago by meauclaire    [ Reply ]
this is medieval with the m of may.
don't spoil april with it. 
Posted 13 years ago by willem    [ Reply ]
 kcar wrote:

Wow, yes! I'd totally forgotten about this scene. Brilliant. Tim Robbins' face at the end is perfect—goofy rube in heaven. He might have stepped out of a Dr. Seuss book with that look. 

There was a Jimmy Cagney/Arlene Francis movie called "One Two Three" that also used the Sabre Dance quite well.  
 
I watched this, and I guess I'm clueless. Perhaps seeing the movie might help me understand.

Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
My dad used to play this when I was growing up - it scared me, fascinated me, intrigued me, and ultimately gave me the most joy I could glean from music.  Holy wow - I LOVE this!  Thank you to whoever uploaded this, and thanks to Bill and Rebecca for letting it be here for everyone to hear. Gotta take a couple of deep breaths now - it's like Dad is here with me now, and grinning....
Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
 DoctorHooey wrote:
my favorite use of this music (toward the end):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ng3XHPdexNM
 
Wow, yes! I'd totally forgotten about this scene. Brilliant. Tim Robbins' face at the end is perfect—goofy rube in heaven. He might have stepped out of a Dr. Seuss book with that look. 

There was a Jimmy Cagney/Arlene Francis movie called "One Two Three" that also used the Sabre Dance quite well.  
Posted 13 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
Aram Khachaturian

Aram Khachaturian (June 6, 1903 - May 1, 1978)
Armenian Soviet composer whose works were often influenced by folk music of Armenia.

Posted 13 years ago by Bazooka    [ Reply ]
Watch out for the juggling clowns and all their knives. {#Lol}
{#Bananasplit}{#Dancingbanana}{#Bananasplit}
Posted 13 years ago by GeneP59    [ Reply ]
this is perfect for me right now as i rush to finish my work before this snow storm knocks out the power.
Posted 13 years ago by daveesh    [ Reply ]
this is my day, back to work after the holiday{#Doh}
Posted 14 years ago by Delawhere    [ Reply ]
my favorite use of this music (toward the end):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ng3XHPdexNM
Posted 14 years ago by DoctorHooey    [ Reply ]
I would even love it more... if it was not describing my work day so well.  So it goes.
Posted 14 years ago by whtahtefcuk    [ Reply ]
Ok I'm dizzy!
Posted 14 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
 jmurphyjr wrote:
Bill's the master. Had me dancing to Mambo, now I'm just smiling and shaking my head!
  
 {#Mrgreen}  {#Yes}

Posted 14 years ago by fingerpin    [ Reply ]
I wish I knew how to juggle.
Posted 14 years ago by LastChance    [ Reply ]
This will always make me think of cartoons.
Posted 14 years ago by UltraNurd    [ Reply ]
For a rock cover of this, check out Love Sculpture's "Forms and Feelings."  It was Dave Edmunds power trio back in the day.
Posted 14 years ago by RedGuitar    [ Reply ]
Now that's punk rock!
Posted 14 years ago by ick    [ Reply ]
This song has cracked me up since I was a kid watching guys spin plates on the Ed Sullivan show.
Posted 14 years ago by smackiepipe    [ Reply ]
Makes me want to commit repeated acts of defenestration!
Posted 14 years ago by TheBorgBuilder    [ Reply ]

Go Sabres!!!!!

Always heard this during commercials for the Buffalo Sabres.


Posted 14 years ago by xtalman    [ Reply ]
Bill's the master. Had me dancing to Mambo, now I'm just smiling and shaking my head!
Posted 14 years ago by jmurphyjr    [ Reply ]
 jmsmy wrote:
Always heard this - but never know what it was.

Thanks, Bill
 
I was just thinking the same thing.  It makes me want to run around my office throwing random things in the air!

Posted 14 years ago by pcicatar    [ Reply ]
 blotto wrote:
I feel like juggling burning swords, on a unicycle, on a tightrope, blindfolded.

 

Have fun with that, and please do be careful!
Posted 14 years ago by coolpeople_rule    [ Reply ]
No way?!! This is awesome!
Posted 14 years ago by Ahnyer_Keester    [ Reply ]
Come on, Spike Jones next!!
Posted 14 years ago by denbear    [ Reply ]