World Violin Speed Record: Ben Lee plays Flight of the Bumblebee
Labels: Ben Lee, David Garrett, Fuse duo (Linzi Stoppard and Ben Lee), Rimsky-Korsakov, World Record, World's Fastest
56.07 seconds :: 245 bpm :: Hong Kong, China :: New Year's Day 2011 :: LIVE on Chinese TV
Ben "Lightning Hand" Lee smashes his own world record performing "Flight of the Bumblebee" in a blistering 56.07 seconds.
The two times Guinness World Record champion was invited to perform with electric rock violin band FUSE alongside fellow violinist Linzi Stoppard as part of Hong Kong's "New Year's Eve" celebrations.
After rocking a sensational set of songs by Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, Europe and Christina Aguilera, FUSE led the 8,000 strong crowd in a rendition of "Auld Langs Syne" before Ben Lee took centre stage for his record attempt.
Ben Lee (UK) first broke the "magic minute' barrier on November 14th 2010 to become the Fastest Violin Player in the World, beating the previous record holder by 5 seconds.
In Hong Kong, Lee reached speeds of 15 notes per second living up to his name as the Usain Bolt of the violin world.
'Flight of the Bumblebee' is used to judge the Guinness World Record™ for the fastest violin player, as the piece is extremely fast and requires the technically demanding "sautille" bowing style.
Ben performed on one of a pair of FUSE's exclusive Swarovski Crystal Bridge violins. Following in the footsteps of international superstars Madonna, Michael Jackson and Kylie Minogue, FUSE's Linzi Stoppard and Ben Lee joined forces with Swarovski to embellish each of their bespoke Bridge instruments with an incredible 50,000 crystals each, every one hand-applied, creating the world's most expensive electric violins. Each violin is worth over one million pounds (USD $1.5million) and was launched in-store at Harrods, London.
FUSE bridges the gap between classical and pop/rock music and their debut album features 14 anthems including 'Beat It' by Michael Jackson and Coldplay's 'Fix You'.
"Flight of the Bumblebee" : FASTEST VIOLIN : new Guinness World Record : November 2010 : FUSE
Ben Lee (UK) smashes "magic minute' barrier to become the Fastest Violin Player in the World.
Rock violinist Ben Lee of acclaimed electric violin duo FUSE played 'Flight of the Bumblebee' by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov on £1M Swarovski Crystal Violin in an astonishing 58.515 seconds - setting the new world record for the Fastest Violin Player.
Judged by Guinness World Records officials and musical experts Ben Lee set the new record with a performance of 'Flight of the Bumblebee' by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, playing on the world's most expensive electric violin. Ben Lee can now claim to have the fastest fingers in the world and live up to his reputation as the Usain Bolt of the violin world. 'Flight of the Bumblebee' is used to judge the Guinness World Record™ for the fastest violin player, as the piece is extremely fast and requires the technically demanding "sautille" bowing style.
Ben performed on one of a pair of FUSE's exclusive Swarovski Crystal Bridge violins. Following in the footsteps of international superstars Madonna, Michael Jackson and Kylie Minogue, FUSE's Linzi Stoppard and Ben Lee joined forces with Swarovski to embellish each of their bespoke Bridge instruments with an incredible 50,000 crystals each, every one hand-applied, creating the world's most expensive electric violins. Each violin is worth over one million pounds and was launched in-store at Harrods.
Ben Lee commented, "Records are there to be broken, and I know I can take it even faster. The idea for this record challenge came from Linzi. Having watched me attack the Van Halen and Jimmy Page solos that we have interpreted on our album, she had the faith! I was in a serious traffic accident earlier in the year, doctors told me I had to consider that my violin days could be over. Linzi thought a defined goal would help me battle through the rehab -- she was right" Ben Lee is a one half of electric violin rock duo, FUSE. FUSE bridges the gap between classical and pop music and the album features 14 anthems including 'Beat It' by Michael Jackson and Coldplay's 'Fix You'.
Previous Record: David Garrett becomes the world's fastest violinist by playing Flight of The Bumble Bee in 1 minute 6.56 seconds, an amazing 13 notes per second. Filmed on BBC TVs Blue Peter programme. For more information about David, go to http://www.david-garrett.com