The Queen Symphony

Tolga Kashif (Artist), Royal Philarmonic Orchestra (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 7, 2003)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B00006JC6Q
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #100,020 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Tolga Kashif is a London-based composer, and for this CD he has orchestrated some of the rock group Queen's songs into a six-section symphony. The effect is definitely more classical than popular. Kashif sometimes uses almost entire songs as the basis for a section, while at other times he takes a piece of a song here, a piece of a song there. He builds on these melodies in his own symphonic voice, which is closer to the Romanticism of the Russian composers than to anyone else. Queen relied on a certain outrageousness, and merely by doing what he's done here, Kashif is sure to continue in that tradition. It's hard to tell for whom this CD is meant: Queen fans will be either delighted or horrified by "Who wants to live forever?" without either a guitar or Freddie Mercury's seductive whine; newcomers won't care much. If lush orchestral writing (and interjections, equally lush, by a chorus) is something that fascinates you, this might just work. There's nothing of "greatness" here, but it's not a bauble to be thrown away either. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Queen Symphony, January 15, 2003

By	Frank Buswell (Milton, Vt USA) - See all my reviews

Extraordinarny! Having been a Queen fan since the beginning, I have always admired the group's ability to explore new ground and sounds during their existence in the rock world. I love all kinds of music and while i'm by no means a classical expert, this recording is incredible. It captures the true spirit and essence of the group while infusing a new breath of life to their music. The cd, constructed in six movements, starts off with segments from "Radio-Gaga" and builds through a dramatic climax ending with "Who wants to live forever". Each movement is composed of partial Queen tunes tied together with new material.
In some cases, the entire song is played out. Number four playfully reconstructs the mood of "Bicycle Race" tied together with "Save Me", two songs that I have never imagined could be strung together so beautifuly while being played classically at the same time. Movement two is an absolutly gorgoeus version of "Love of my life". The violins and piano are perfect for the work as it blends with "Another one bites the dust'. Another classic duo? Go figure. But it works. The best part is movement 5, "Bohemian Rhapsody", We will will rock you, We are the champions and Who wants to live forvever are masterfully interwined in a majestic piece that captures the true essence of those songs. I got goose bumps when We will rock you started.
This cd solidifies Queen's music in rock history and brings the classical format to me in an entirely new and refreshing way. Tolga Kashif has done an exceptional job here.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A counterargument to those who rated less than favorably, January 28, 2004

By	Christopher Furlong (Sand Lake, NY United States) - See all my reviews

Scrolling through the reviews, I noticed that a couple people labeled this symphony as being pretentious, overdone, and insufficient to the music of Queen. To quote one reviewer, : "If the strings got any more lush, the English Horns any more thick, the chorus any more "John Williams," I think I would choke on my own vomit."

Is this person a Queen fan at all?

What makes Queen great is the excess, the fabulousness, the mixture of classical and opera asthetics with rock methodology. This symphony mirrors that perfectly - following the tradition of the better Queen albums, each segment is a piece to its own apart from the rest, but the whole makes a more compelling musical experience than the sum of its parts. It ranges from soft and sentimental to rollicking and cheeky, and I have to say it has been a long time since I enjoyed any version of We Will Rock You nearly as much as this symphony portrays it. Any real Queen fan will delight in this piece. I had put off buying this album for a while thinking it would be another "Passing Open Windows" but the disc is so much more than that. I feel after listening to this that I have a new Queen album, not a new Royal Philharmonic Orchestra album, and that's really what matters most.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classical Music Listeners Critical Review, April 11, 2003

By A Customer

Despite the bad reviews on this page I will disagree with the previous reviewers. I believe this is a good recording and an outstanding effort by Tolga Kashif and certainly worthy or praise. Like most people I grew up listening and enjoying QUEEN but I also grew up listening to Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Durante, Pergolesi and various other composers - too many to name here. I play the piano and am well versed in the classical musical language. This work certainly can not stand side by side with Beethoven or Mozart just yet but it is an outstanding effort. Keep in mind that this is a symphony INSPIRED by the music of QUEEN and it is in no way a direct symphonic arrangement of QUEEN's songs. If you want a direct symphonic arrangement look for music by the London Symphony Orchestra. This symphony however is rather enjoyable because one gets to hear how certain themes have been re-worked. It is hard to put into words the compositional factor in this work. It would most likely fall under the Romantic Classical category - you can hear hints of Beethoven throughout the work. Remnants of Holst and Copland are also there. This symphony tells the story of the eternal struggle against the odds and it is presented in six movements (One world, Conjuring of a Storm, Mourning, Frenzy, Triumph and Homage) and within the six movements the melodies of QUEEN are integrated very cleverly to match up with the theme of the movement. Overall the recording of this work sounds great (especially if you're an audiophile and have a hi-fi system). If you're a QUEEN purist - this recording might not be for you but if you are a person who enjoys classical music (especially works by Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Holst) and who also enjoys something new and creative then by all means get this work. It is definitely worthy of praise and most definitely deserves a critical listen before you cast your ultimate vote on the acceptance of this work into the pantheon of classical music.