Customer Reviews

Concerto For Group & Orchestra

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This was back when rock music was still progressing. The strength of an orchestra working with the power of a rock band. Deep Purple were the first band to integrate rock music with classical. The idea came from Jon Lord, Deep Purple's keyboardist.
The band have the muscle to avoid being buried by orchestration, yet manage to join forces with the orchestra. The outcome is a magnificent union that will delight those who care at all about music.
This set was recorded live at the Royal Albert Hall in London on September 24th, 1969 and was divided into three movements:
1st Movement: Allegretto.
2nd Movement: Allegro with lyrics by lead singer Ian Gillan.
3rd Movement: . Vivace presto which integrates a solo for Ian Paice on drums.
For only having two complete rehearsals, the outcome is absolutely amazing.

(Important note) Make sure to get the current release (import only, as of early 2003) which has been completely re-mixed to sound 100% better than the old CD and/or LP, it also includes a nice big booklet full of pictures and if that's not enough for you, a great bonus disc of the band performing a three song set before the Concerto.

Track 1: Hush - Perhaps a better version than the one we always hear on the radio, with Ian Gillan's incredible vocal delivery. Sounding almost like early Elvis at times.
Track 2: Wring that Neck - A smoking instrumental with room to play for guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and keyboardist Jon Lord. I must also mention the solid rhythm section of Roger Glover on bass and Ian Paice on drums, they just drive this piece along. Nice.
Track 3: Child In Time - The band were just about to record this "soon to be classic" for the upcoming album "In Rock". It might be one of the finest live version they ever did.
It's so new to them that they play it incredibly tight, and Gillan keeps his famous screams slightly off the mic, so not to scare the classical side of the crowd, but it makes for a great reverb sound. Those three tracks give you about half an hour of warm up. The audience sounds like they enjoyed the opening set. Fabulous!
The Concerto for Group and Orchestra was and is an excellent idea from JON LORD, he is a true hero. Thanks Jon.

It's actually very simple. Ever since I was a little boy, I've always contemplated the music I want to be played at my burial (or cremation for that matter). No speeches, to save any audience well-meant crap, but music, only music! To me music symbolizes the sheer genius of mankind and is able to voice every possible emotion I can have at any given moment. It lifts me up and beats me down (what is a mountain without a valley?), caresses and comforts me. I simply can't imagine life without music. Over the years I've come to appreciate so many forms of music, fell in love with so many songs, symphonies, bits and pieces, that it seems virtually impossible to make a selection, representing in less than an hour my musical "meaning of life". But, not too long ago, all of a sudden it struck me. Back in my teens came, on hindsight, the epitomy of my musical life: Deep Purple's Concerto For Group And Orchestra; Jon Lord's masterpiece. The ultimate fusion of classical music and rock music (ie classic rock). This concerto, and nothing else, is the music to be played at my funeral (you're all invited).
I just can't think of a greater salute to this truly masterpiece. I rest my case!

This is what you think it is: Deep Purple with orchestra (British Royal Symphony), recorded live in Albert Hall. Lord wrote in the accompanying booklet: "Too many people took it too seriously". But it is a very interesting effort: DP sound is pre-Machinehead, and the orchestral part sounds like Beethoven. A must for the serious collector; skip if you don't like pre-Machinehead DP.

I bought this vinyl record back in the early 70's. It is one heck of a performance, and the guitar work is unbelievable. I wouldn't part with this record, unless you would want to trade a vintage Stratocaster for it. Then I might consider it.

This was back when rock music was still progressing. The strength of an orchestra working with the power of a rock band. Deep Purple were the first band to integrate rock music with classical. The idea came from Jon Lord, Deep Purple's keyboardist.
The band have the muscle to avoid being buried by orchestration, yet manage to join forces with the orchestra. The outcome is a magnificent union that will delight those who care at all about music.
This set was recorded live at the Royal Albert Hall in London on September 24th, 1969 and was divided into three movements:
1st Movement: Allegretto.
2nd Movement: Allegro with lyrics by lead singer Ian Gillan.
3rd Movement: . Vivace presto which integrates a solo for Ian Paice on drums.
For only having two complete rehearsals, the outcome is absolutely amazing.

(Important note) Make sure to get the current release (import only, as of early 2003) which has been completely re-mixed to sound 100% better than the old CD and/or LP, it also includes a nice big booklet full of pictures and if that's not enough for you, a great bonus disc of the band performing a three song set before the Concerto.

Track 1: Hush - Perhaps a better version than the one we always hear on the radio, with Ian Gillan's incredible vocal delivery. Sounding almost like early Elvis at times.
Track 2: Wring that Neck - A smoking instrumental with room to play for guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and keyboardist Jon Lord. I must also mention the solid rhythm section of Roger Glover on bass and Ian Paice on drums, they just drive this piece along. Nice.
Track 3: Child In Time - The band were just about to record this "soon to be classic" for the upcoming album "In Rock". It might be one of the finest live version they ever did.
It's so new to them that they play it incredibly tight, and Gillan keeps his famous screams slightly off the mic, so not to scare the classical side of the crowd, but it makes for a great reverb sound. Those three tracks give you about half an hour of warm up. The audience sounds like they enjoyed the opening set. Fabulous!
The Concerto for Group and Orchestra was and is an excellent idea from JON LORD, he is a true hero. Thanks Jon.

This was back when rock music was still progressing. The strength of an orchestra working with the power of a rock band. Deep Purple were the first band to integrate rock music with classical. The idea came from Jon Lord, Deep Purple's keyboardist.
The band have the muscle to avoid being buried by orchestration, yet manage to join forces with the orchestra. The outcome is a magnificent union that will delight those who care at all about music.
This set was recorded live at the Royal Albert Hall in London on September 24th, 1969 and was divided into three movements:
1st Movement: Allegretto.
2nd Movement: Allegro with lyrics by lead singer Ian Gillan.
3rd Movement: . Vivace presto which integrates a solo for Ian Paice on drums.
For only having two complete rehearsals, the outcome is absolutely amazing.

(Important note) Make sure to get the current release (import only, as of early 2003) which has been completely re-mixed to sound 100% better than the old CD and/or LP, it also includes a nice big booklet full of pictures and if that's not enough for you, a great bonus disc of the band performing a three song set before the Concerto.

Track 1: Hush - Perhaps a better version than the one we always hear on the radio, with Ian Gillan's incredible vocal delivery. Sounding almost like early Elvis at times.
Track 2: Wring that Neck - A smoking instrumental with room to play for guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and keyboardist Jon Lord. I must also mention the solid rhythm section of Roger Glover on bass and Ian Paice on drums, they just drive this piece along. Nice.
Track 3: Child In Time - The band were just about to record this "soon to be classic" for the upcoming album "In Rock". It might be one of the finest live version they ever did.
It's so new to them that they play it incredibly tight, and Gillan keeps his famous screams slightly off the mic, so not to scare the classical side of the crowd, but it makes for a great reverb sound. Those three tracks give you about half an hour of warm up. The audience sounds like they enjoyed the opening set. Fabulous!
The Concerto for Group and Orchestra was and is an excellent idea from JON LORD, he is a true hero. Thanks Jon.

They were the first rock band in the end of 60's who ever integrated the rock music with the classical elements. What the other rock bands had never done before. The idea came from the band's keyboard player Mr. Jon Lord (an excellent keyboard man).
This set was recorded live at the Royal Albert Hall in London UK 1969 & divided into three sections:
1. Allegreto.
2.Allegro with the 1st and second Andante lyrics by the lead singer of the group Ian Gillan.
3. Vivace presto which included a full lenght solo drums from Ian Paice.
Deep Purple was the very first rock band who ever played for the album set with the amazing Royal philharmonic orchestra. The result is absolutely fantastic and grander than grand. The remake of this original orchestra from 1969 was played again 30 years later in 1999 (available on the double cd set London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Paul Mann).

PS: Jon Lord's best friend (Dr. Malcolm Arnold) who at that time conducted the orchestra set told in his reviews that the Beatles also did several songs with the orchestra before in 1967, but Beatles did not play for the whole album set like Deep Purple did in this amazing cd.
Many Deep Purple fans are saying that Purple absolutely rules but Beatlemania has lost!

it is an excellent idea from JON LORD, he was a hero in this album, Dr. Malcolm Arnold helped the band in 1969 by doing this stuffs. The concerto was composed by Jon Lord & divided into three sections,...at that time in 1969, DP was the very first rock band who ever did the rock n roll sound with the classical elements.
and the result is brain melting! don't forget to see the remake 30 years later in 1999 2 cd set "DP with LONDON SYMPONY ORCHESTRA".

To my mind, this is the ultimate fusion, the power of an orchestra melding and flowing with a power rock group. Deep Purple struts their stuff on this CD. They have the power to avoid being eclipsed by orchestration, yet manage to partner with the orchestra. The result is a wonderful fusion that will either offend the classisist, bore the rocker, or thrill those who love Music.

Not surprisingly, the orchestration is a bit bombastic. I would have enjoyed more flowing strings and less staccato--that would have contrasted nicely with Deep Purples contribution. But, even this melodramatic orchestration works to create a tantalizing fusion.

If you just want more Highway Star Spacetrucking Women from Tokyo Smoking on the Water, this isn't the CD for you. If you like symphonic music and admire the art of rock, consider this experience. It's well worth the money.

(If you'd like to discuss this review or CD in more depth, please click on the "about me" link above and drop me an email. Thanks!)

Jon was trying to make a blend of classical and rock and was reasonably successful. Mr. Blackmore got a bit too free a play with the guitar; otherwise in balance. Recommended as easy listening.