Ernest & Julio Gallo

Introduction

Throughout his career Vangelis’ music has been used for dozens of television commercials worldwide. For several commercials Vangelis composed original music, however for his advertisement for Ernest & Julio Gallo winery from 1986 Vangelis arranged a new version of ‘Hymne’, a composition from his earlier album “Opera Sauvage” (1979).

Ernest & Julio Gallo winery is based in Modesto, California and is the largest wine producer in the world by volume. Using the slogan ‘All the best a wine can be’ the commercial is a collage of slow-motion images from the wine making process highlighting the variety of wines, accompanied by Vangelis’ specially arranged version of ‘Hymne’.

Due to its success Ernest & Julio Gallo winery produced a series of follow-up commercials in 1986 and 1987, with themes such as ‘The Wedding’, ‘Family’, ‘History’ and ‘Christmas’, in either half or a full minute length variations.

Recording studio

It is not clear where Vangelis recorded this new arrangement of ‘Hymne’. Given the timing it is possible that the music was recorded either in Vangelis’ Nemo Studios in London in the first half of 1986, or during his stay at the Beverly Hills hotel in Los Angeles in the 2nd half of 1986.

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