I Hear a Symphony: The Classic Hits of Motown

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Artist), Various (Composer), . (Conductor) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Conductor: .
• Composer: Various
• Audio CD (October 27, 2009)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Silva America
• ASIN: B002R0HT46
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #47,353 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Motown In Symphonic Beauty, October 31, 2009

By 

Bradley J. Scarton - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: I Hear a Symphony: The Classic Hits of Motown (Audio CD)

There have been many attempts at combining the classic hits of Motown with the sounds of a symphonic orchestra, but this one is by far the best! From the first song to the last, Motown is performed in a way that it really hasn't been heard before. Several songs such as "For Once In My Life" and "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone" are performed in a similar style as the hits, but most are rearranged into new styles that bring something fresh and exciting to the songs. The strings and brass bring out the beauty of the melodies and take them on a journey through philharmonic glory. If you love Motown and classical music, then this is a must!! You will really hear a symphony at its best.

From the liner notes: "This is one of the most exquisite albums I've listened to in years." - Lamont Dozier

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "I Hear A Symphony (2009) ... Royal Philharmonic Orch. & Crouch End Festival Chorus ... Silva America", October 27, 2009

By 

J. Lovins "Mr. Jim" (Missouri-USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: I Hear a Symphony: The Classic Hits of Motown (Audio CD)

Silva America presents "I HEAR A SYMPHONY:THE CLASSIC HITS OF MOTOWN" --- On a unique journey through the hits as we unfold an overture via motown with haunting arrangements --- One of the best of the best music ensembles, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Ben Forster and featuring The Crouch End Festival Chorus conducted by David Temple --- On the easy listening side of the genre but sonically it generates the times --- Hearing is believing why not try some samples on Amazon and give us your reading.

I Hear A Symphony - Titles & Times (14 Tracks)

1. I Hear A Symphony (overture)
(Lamont Dozier, Brian & Brian Holland
Artist: The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra & Crouch End Festival Chorus

2. Dancing In The Street
(William Stevenson, Marvin Gaye & Ivy Hunter)
Artist: The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra)

3. I Heard It Through The Grapevine
(Norman Whitfield & Barrett Strong)
Artist: The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra & Crouch End Festival Chorus

4. Get Ready
(Smokey Robinson)
Artist: The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

5. My Girl
(William Robinson Jnr & Ronald White)
Artist: The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra & Crouch End Festival Chorus

6. Three Times A Lady
(Lionel Richie)
Artist: The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

7. Papa Was A Rollin' Stone
(Norman Whitfield & Barrett Strong)
Artist: The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

8. Just My Imagination (running Away With Me)
(Norman Whitfield & Barrett Strong)
Artist: The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra & Crouch End Festival Chorus

9. For Once In My Life
(Orlando Murden & Ronald Miller)
Artist: The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

10. Touch Me In The Morning
(Michael Masser & Ron Miller)
Artist: The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra & Crouch End Festival Chorus

11. What's Going On
(Alfred Cleveland, Marvin Gaye & Renaldo Benson)
Artist: The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra & Crouch End Festival Chorus

12. What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted
(James Dean William Weatherspoon & Paul Riser)
Artist: The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

13. Someday We'll Be Together
(Johnny Bristol, Jackey Beavers & Harvey Fuqua)
Artist: Crouch End Festival Chorus

14. I Hear A Symphony (finale)
(Lamont Dozier Brian & Eddie Holland)
Artist: The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra & Crouch End Festival Chorus

Hats off to Mark Cox (guitar), Jay Cox (bass), Richard Barr (drums), Evan Jolly (keyboards), Chris Marshall (percussion), Simon Willescroft (Sax solo on "For Once In My Life"), Evan Jolly (Flugelhorn solo on "What's Going On") --- Well done at the helm is Rick Clark & Evan Jolly (producers), Reynold D'Silva (executive producer) --- Orchestra conducting honors go to Ben Foster (Best known as orchestrator and conductor on "Doctor Who" and as composer for the "Torchwood" series) --- Also the outstanding arrangements by Evan Jolly, with soaring passages of power, which lends heart and soul into each track --- Recorded at Britain's legendary recording studio Abbey Road by Jonathan Allen -- Rick Clark edited mixed & mastered at Silvatown Studios, Camden Town, London --- And of course our favorite label Silva Screen Records who were our presenters.

Total Time: 59:17 min on 14 Tracks ~ Silva America 1297 ~ (10/27//2009)

5.0 out of 5 stars I Hear A Symphony, March 28, 2010

By 

Robert D. Rigney Jr. "Simply Supreme" (Louisville) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: I Hear a Symphony: The Classic Hits of Motown (Audio CD)

This is an excellent cd. My fave was " Touch Me In The Morning ". The arrangement was very beautiful. The cd is a great tribute to the great songs of Motown Records. For a classic cd, it is most enjoyable. The string arrangements are quite superb. It makes me only want more of especially, the songs of The Supremes. I wish they would do an entire cd of just their music. One can only cross one's fingers and hope.