RAYMOND SCOTT'S 'Powerhouse' - Live Performance/Lawrence Rapchak

Conductor Lawrence Rapchak leads a full orchestral version of Scott's 1937 "MODERNE" masterpiece.

[jackmunch]

I love listening to this music when I fall onto conveyor belt.

[LawnPygmy]

The conductor is having an absolute blast playing this.

[vincentfranklin]

As a fan of jazz, and the Looney Tunes, I love this!

[jokmank]

-Push the button...
-And pull the crank!

[Perlinator]

The original version performed by Raymond Scott in the 1930's had a small band of six players. I've heard that version many times and a faithful modern re-creation by a band called the Beau Hunks. As great as the original and the Beau Hunks versions were, this classical-style version, with a full orchestra, brings more out of it. Lawrence Rapchak does not alter the notes or tempo of the original composition, yet the wider range of instruments puts a fresh spin on "Powerhouse" while fully honoring it. I love it!

[desertbob]

I met Ray Scott in his later years and have a piano score of "Powerhouse" signed by him. He told me, "If Carl Stalling hadn't have latched onto that tune in the '40s through Warners, no one would've ever heard it other than my record!"

[delord]

It is so easy to be obsessed with this song..

[eightbitbert]

Percentage of reasons to watch:
50%: The music is iconic, fun, and catchy.
50%: That maniac of a Conductor! He's having so much fun!

[Camop-izkt]

"And now eager young space cadet, here's the course we shall pursue to find Planet X"

[Draslss]

It's strange that descriptors like "overdone" and "overblown" are used in regards to this arrangement. It's one of Scott's most perfect pieces. It is overblown because the Factory theme section in this piece is well...supposed to be overblown. The color and story is very clear in the music and Scott is very clear on the over the top quality of the music.

[Reverend]

I love this song and this is easily one of the best versions.
 The conductor is a maniac.

[andreag]

Those of you commenting on the conductor's enthusiasm: all the best conductors/directors are like this. ALL OF THEM.

[nightisright]

Chuck Jones loved using this song in his shorts for some reason

[KRT]

As an homage, Rush placed in their instrumental La Villa Strangiato. And after finding the rights had lapsed into public domaine but Scott was still alive, sent Scott a very sizable check anyway, because damit, he wrote Powerhouse.

[Themaddprof]

To this day, whenever I'm hard at work at a task, I think of this song.

[christophersims]

😂🎉🎉❤❤❤ Love how animated the conductor is! Great piece of musical history! Thank You for sharing!

[hebneh]

Warner Bros. cartoon characters should have been dashing around during this performance, preferably having some sort of machinery involved.

[JavierSalazarLoyola]

My students must do as final project a Rube Goldberg machine for some dumb problem. If one of them puts this as background music, I'll put them in the honor roll.

[DavidLazarus]

For those who don't know: Rush quoted a bit of this main theme in their song La Villa Strangiato. It's definitely worth a listen to anyone who likes hard rock.

My favorite part starts at 1:29. The conductor sure got a good workout.