Concerto for Group and Orchestra
Encyclopedia
The Concerto for Group and Orchestra is a concerto
composed by Jon Lord
, with lyrics written by Ian Gillan
. It was first performed by Deep Purple
and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
conducted by Malcolm Arnold
on 24 September 1969 and released on vinyl in December 1969. The release was the first Deep Purple album to feature Ian Gillan on vocals and Roger Glover on bass. After the score was lost in 1970, it was performed again in 1999 with a recreated score. The 1969 performance was the first ever combination of rock music and a complete orchestra and has been cited as paving the way for other rock/orchestra performances such as Metallica's S&M concert and Roger Water's The Wall Berlin performance.
, sinfonia concertante
, and concerto for orchestra
genres:
, London, by:
The programme consisted of:
Parts of the Concertos "Third Movement" - 5:53 - were given as an encore
.
) and in January 1970 in the United Kingdom (Harvest
). These releases contained only the "Concerto", with the second movement broken in two halves. Copies of the original U.S. editions are rare as Tetragrammaton went bankrupt while the album was still being issued. In the following year, the Concerto became the only Tetragrammaton release to be reissued by Warner Bros.
, Deep Purple's new U.S. label.
On 4 April 1970, the Concerto was shown on British television as The Best of Both Worlds.
The 1990s saw a CD
release including the songs "Wring That Neck" and "Child in Time
".
In 2002 EMI
released special edition DVD-A and SACD
sets of Concerto for Group and Orchestra, featuring the entire program of music played that night.
In 2003, a video recording of this concert was released on DVD. However, four and a half minutes of the 1st Movement are missing in this video.
conducted by Lawrence Foster
at the Hollywood Bowl on 25 August 1970, after which the score was lost.
by listening to the recording and watching the video of the 1969 performance.
Performers were:
The London Symphony Orchestra
, conducted by Paul Mann
The programme consisted of:
. A cut recording of the performance was also released on DVD, entitled In Concert with the London Symphony Orchestra
.
, in Japan with the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra
, all conducted by Paul Mann.
Concerto
A concerto is a musical work usually composed in three parts or movements, in which one solo instrument is accompanied by an orchestra.The etymology is uncertain, but the word seems to have originated from the conjunction of the two Latin words...
composed by Jon Lord
Jon Lord
Jonathan Douglas "Jon" Lord is an English composer, pianist and Hammond organ player.Jon Lord, also known as 'Hammond Lord', is a classically trained piano player. He is recognised for his Hammond organ blues-rock sound and for his pioneering work in fusing rock and classical or baroque forms...
, with lyrics written by Ian Gillan
Ian Gillan
Ian Gillan is an English rock music vocalist and songwriter, best known as the lead singer and lyricist for Deep Purple. During his career Gillan also fronted his own band, had a year-long stint as the vocalist for Black Sabbath, and sang the role of Jesus in the original recording of Andrew Lloyd...
. It was first performed by Deep Purple
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is a British orchestra based in London. It tours widely, and is sometimes referred to as "Britain's national orchestra"...
conducted by Malcolm Arnold
Malcolm Arnold
Sir Malcolm Henry Arnold, CBE was an English composer and symphonist.Malcolm Arnold began his career playing trumpet professionally, but by age thirty his life was devoted to composition. He was ranked with Benjamin Britten as one of the most sought-after composers in Britain...
on 24 September 1969 and released on vinyl in December 1969. The release was the first Deep Purple album to feature Ian Gillan on vocals and Roger Glover on bass. After the score was lost in 1970, it was performed again in 1999 with a recreated score. The 1969 performance was the first ever combination of rock music and a complete orchestra and has been cited as paving the way for other rock/orchestra performances such as Metallica's S&M concert and Roger Water's The Wall Berlin performance.
Musical form
The Concerto for Group and Orchestra displays some characteristics of the concerto grossoConcerto grosso
The concerto grosso is a form of baroque music in which the musical material is passed between a small group of soloists and full orchestra...
, sinfonia concertante
Sinfonia concertante
Sinfonia concertante is a musical form that emerged during the Classical period of Western music. It is essentially a mixture of the symphony and the concerto genres: a concerto in that one or more soloists are on prominent display, and a symphony in that the soloists are nonetheless discernibly a...
, and concerto for orchestra
Concerto for Orchestra
Although a concerto is usually a piece of music for one or more solo instruments accompanied by a full orchestra, several composers have written works with the apparently contradictory title Concerto for Orchestra...
genres:
- First movement (Moderato - Allegro): after an elaborate orchestral introduction the Group and the Orchestra work as separate blocks, trying to get dominance over the main theme - this opposition of a group of soloists against an orchestra is quite "concerto grosso" style.
- Second movement (Andante), with lyrics sung by Ian GillanIan GillanIan Gillan is an English rock music vocalist and songwriter, best known as the lead singer and lyricist for Deep Purple. During his career Gillan also fronted his own band, had a year-long stint as the vocalist for Black Sabbath, and sang the role of Jesus in the original recording of Andrew Lloyd...
: here the group integrates more with the sound of the orchestra while still clearly on top of the orchestral texture, giving a sinfonia concertante look and feel. - Third movement (Vivace - Presto): apart from Ian PaiceIan PaiceIan Anderson Paice is an English musician, best known as the drummer of the English rock band Deep Purple. As of Jon Lord's departure in 2002, he is the only founding member of the band who never stopped performing with the group, and the only member to appear on every album the band has...
's drum solo, the music is so tightly knit that the distinction between the group and the orchestra is almost lifted: in a way the group becomes part of an extended orchestra, with one elaborate "solo" passage, by an instrument that is no soloist throughout the movement, giving a concerto touch: this is more or less what is understood by the Concerto for Orchestra genre.
Performance
The piece was first performed and recorded on 24 September 1969 in the Royal Albert HallRoyal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
, London, by:
- Deep PurpleDeep PurpleDeep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
- Jon LordJon LordJonathan Douglas "Jon" Lord is an English composer, pianist and Hammond organ player.Jon Lord, also known as 'Hammond Lord', is a classically trained piano player. He is recognised for his Hammond organ blues-rock sound and for his pioneering work in fusing rock and classical or baroque forms...
: keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments... - Ritchie BlackmoreRitchie BlackmoreRichard Hugh "Ritchie" Blackmore is an English guitarist and songwriter, who was known as one of the first guitarists to fuse Classical music elements with rock. He fronted his own band Rainbow after leaving Deep Purple where he was unhappy because his favourite musical style wasn't adequately...
: guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with... - Ian GillanIan GillanIan Gillan is an English rock music vocalist and songwriter, best known as the lead singer and lyricist for Deep Purple. During his career Gillan also fronted his own band, had a year-long stint as the vocalist for Black Sabbath, and sang the role of Jesus in the original recording of Andrew Lloyd...
: vocals - Roger GloverRoger GloverRoger David Glover is a Welsh bassist, songwriter, and record producer. Glover is best known as the bassist and lyricist for the hard rock band, Deep Purple.-Early career:...
: bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Ian PaiceIan PaiceIan Anderson Paice is an English musician, best known as the drummer of the English rock band Deep Purple. As of Jon Lord's departure in 2002, he is the only founding member of the band who never stopped performing with the group, and the only member to appear on every album the band has...
: drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Jon Lord
- The Royal Philharmonic OrchestraRoyal Philharmonic OrchestraThe Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is a British orchestra based in London. It tours widely, and is sometimes referred to as "Britain's national orchestra"...
, conducted by Malcolm ArnoldMalcolm ArnoldSir Malcolm Henry Arnold, CBE was an English composer and symphonist.Malcolm Arnold began his career playing trumpet professionally, but by age thirty his life was devoted to composition. He was ranked with Benjamin Britten as one of the most sought-after composers in Britain...
The programme consisted of:
- Symphony No. 6Symphony No. 6 (Arnold)The Symphony No. 6, Op. 95 by Malcolm Arnold was written in 1967, and finished in July of that year. It is in three movements:*Energico*Lento - Allegretto*Con fuoco...
, Op. 95 (Malcolm Arnold), performed by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra- "1st Movement: Energico" (9:19)
- "2nd Movement: Lento" (8:52)
- "3rd Movement: Con Fuoco" (7:02)
- "Hush" (Joe SouthJoe SouthJoe South is a multi-talented American singer-songwriter and guitarist.-Career:...
, 4:42), performed by Deep Purple - "Wring That Neck" (Ritchie BlackmoreRitchie BlackmoreRichard Hugh "Ritchie" Blackmore is an English guitarist and songwriter, who was known as one of the first guitarists to fuse Classical music elements with rock. He fronted his own band Rainbow after leaving Deep Purple where he was unhappy because his favourite musical style wasn't adequately...
, Nick SimperNick SimperNicholas John Simper is a bass guitarist, best known as a founding member of Deep Purple.-Biography:...
, Jon LordJon LordJonathan Douglas "Jon" Lord is an English composer, pianist and Hammond organ player.Jon Lord, also known as 'Hammond Lord', is a classically trained piano player. He is recognised for his Hammond organ blues-rock sound and for his pioneering work in fusing rock and classical or baroque forms...
, Ian PaiceIan PaiceIan Anderson Paice is an English musician, best known as the drummer of the English rock band Deep Purple. As of Jon Lord's departure in 2002, he is the only founding member of the band who never stopped performing with the group, and the only member to appear on every album the band has...
, 13:23), performed by Deep Purple - "Child in TimeChild in Time"Child in Time" is a song by British hard rock band Deep Purple. Featured on their 1970 album Deep Purple in Rock, the song is 10 minutes and 18 seconds long.-History and characteristics:...
" (Blackmore, Ian GillanIan GillanIan Gillan is an English rock music vocalist and songwriter, best known as the lead singer and lyricist for Deep Purple. During his career Gillan also fronted his own band, had a year-long stint as the vocalist for Black Sabbath, and sang the role of Jesus in the original recording of Andrew Lloyd...
, Roger GloverRoger GloverRoger David Glover is a Welsh bassist, songwriter, and record producer. Glover is best known as the bassist and lyricist for the hard rock band, Deep Purple.-Early career:...
, Lord, Paice - 12:06), performed by Deep Purple - Concerto for Group and Orchestra (Jon Lord, with lyrics by Ian Gillan), performed by Deep Purple with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
- "First Movement: Moderato-Allegro" (19:23)
- "Second Movement: Andante" (19:11)
- "Third Movement: Vivace-Presto" (13:09)
Parts of the Concertos "Third Movement" - 5:53 - were given as an encore
Encore (concert)
An encore is an additional performance added to the end of a concert, from the French "encore", which means "again", "some more"; multiple encores are not uncommon. Encores originated spontaneously, when audiences would continue to applaud and demand additional performance from the artist after the...
.
Releases
The Concerto for Group and Orchestra was first released on vinyl in December 1969 in the United States (TetragrammatonTetragrammaton Records
Tetragrammaton Records was an American record label, founded by artist manager Roy Silver, Bruce Post Campbell, Marvin Deane, and comedian Bill Cosby in the late 1960s. The name references a term for the un-nameable name of God....
) and in January 1970 in the United Kingdom (Harvest
Harvest Records
-References:* Harvest Records collectors guide ISBN 978-5-9622-0021-7...
). These releases contained only the "Concerto", with the second movement broken in two halves. Copies of the original U.S. editions are rare as Tetragrammaton went bankrupt while the album was still being issued. In the following year, the Concerto became the only Tetragrammaton release to be reissued by Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
, Deep Purple's new U.S. label.
On 4 April 1970, the Concerto was shown on British television as The Best of Both Worlds.
The 1990s saw a CD
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
release including the songs "Wring That Neck" and "Child in Time
Child in Time
"Child in Time" is a song by British hard rock band Deep Purple. Featured on their 1970 album Deep Purple in Rock, the song is 10 minutes and 18 seconds long.-History and characteristics:...
".
In 2002 EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
released special edition DVD-A and SACD
Super Audio CD
Super Audio CD is a high-resolution, read-only optical disc for audio storage. Sony and Philips Electronics jointly developed the technology, and publicized it in 1999. It is designated as the Scarlet Book standard. Sony and Philips previously collaborated to define the Compact Disc standard...
sets of Concerto for Group and Orchestra, featuring the entire program of music played that night.
In 2003, a video recording of this concert was released on DVD. However, four and a half minutes of the 1st Movement are missing in this video.
1970 Los Angeles performance
The Concerto was performed one more time, with the Los Angeles Philharmonic OrchestraLos Angeles Philharmonic
The Los Angeles Philharmonic is an American orchestra based in Los Angeles, California, United States. It has a regular season of concerts from October through June at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, and a summer season at the Hollywood Bowl from July through September...
conducted by Lawrence Foster
Lawrence Foster
Lawrence Foster is an American conductor.He became the conductor of the San Francisco Ballet at the age of 18, and served as Assistant Conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic under Zubin Mehta...
at the Hollywood Bowl on 25 August 1970, after which the score was lost.
Performance
On 25 and 26 September 1999, thirty years after its initial performance, the Concerto was again performed in front a live audience in the Royal Albert Hall. To make this performance possible, a new score was created by Marco de GoeijMarco de Goeij
Marco de Goeij is a Dutch composer, known for having reconstructed the lost musical score for the Deep Purple song Concerto for Group and Orchestra..Nowadays Marco de Goeij lives in Gouda and is involved in composing for bellplays....
by listening to the recording and watching the video of the 1969 performance.
Performers were:
|
|
|
|
London Symphony Orchestra
The London Symphony Orchestra is a major orchestra of the United Kingdom, as well as one of the best-known orchestras in the world. Since 1982, the LSO has been based in London's Barbican Centre.-History:...
, conducted by Paul Mann
The programme consisted of:
- Four Scottish DancesScottish DancesFour Scottish Dances is a set of light music pieces composed by Malcolm Arnold in 1957 for the BBC Light Music Festival. The set consists of four dances inspired by, although not based on, Scottish country folk tunes and dances...
(Malcolm ArnoldMalcolm ArnoldSir Malcolm Henry Arnold, CBE was an English composer and symphonist.Malcolm Arnold began his career playing trumpet professionally, but by age thirty his life was devoted to composition. He was ranked with Benjamin Britten as one of the most sought-after composers in Britain...
), performed by the London Symphony Orchestra - "Pictured Within", performed by Jon Lord and Miller Anderson
- "Wait A While", performed by Jon Lord and Sam Brown
- "Sitting In A Dream", performed by Roger Glover and Ronnie James Dio
- "Love Is All", performed by Roger Glover and Ronnie James Dio
- "Via Miami", performed by Ian Gillan
- "That's Why God Is Singing the Blues", performed by Ian Gillan
- "Night Meets Light", performed by The Steve Morse Band
- "Take It off the Top", performed by The Steve Morse Band
- "Wring That Neck", performed by Ian Paice & The Kick Horns
- Concerto for Group and Orchestra (Jon Lord, with lyrics by Ian Gillan), performed by Deep Purple and The London Symphony Orchestra
- "First Movement: Moderato-Allegro" (19:23)
- "Second Movement: Andante" (19:11)
- "Third Movement: Vivace-Presto" (13:09)
- "Ted the Mechanic", performed by Deep Purple and The London Symphony Orchestra
- "Watching the Sky", performed by Deep Purple and The London Symphony Orchestra
- "Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming", performed by Deep Purple and The London Symphony Orchestra
- "Pictures Of Home", performed by Deep Purple and The London Symphony Orchestra
- "Smoke on the Water", performed by the evening's entire ensemble
Releases
The recording of the concert was released on a double CD as Live at the Royal Albert HallLive at the Royal Albert Hall (Deep Purple album)
Live at the Royal Albert Hall is a live album by British hard rock band Deep Purple, recorded on September 25 and September 26, 1999 at the Royal Albert Hall in London with the London Symphony Orchestra, and released on February 8, 2000 on Spitfire records.The album was a project started in 1999 by...
. A cut recording of the performance was also released on DVD, entitled In Concert with the London Symphony Orchestra
In Concert with the London Symphony Orchestra
In Concert with the London Symphony Orchestra is a live DVD by British hard rock band Deep Purple, featuring a recording of the band from 25 September and 26 September 1999 at the Royal Albert Hall in London with the London Symphony Orchestra, and released on 8 February 2000 on Spitfire records.The...
.
2000-2001 Concerto Tour
Encouraged by the success of the 1999 performances, Deep Purple took the Concerto on tour, first performing it in South America with local orchestras, then in Europe with the George Enescu Philharmonic OrchestraGeorge Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra
The George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra is a musical institution of Romania.Founded in 1886, under the supervision of Eduard Wachman, the Romanian Philharmonic Society had as purpose the creation of a permanent symphonic orchestra in Bucharest...
, in Japan with the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra
New Japan Philharmonic
The is a symphony orchestra based in Tokyo, Japan. It was founded in 1972 with Seiji Ozawa as honorary conductor laureate. The Philharmonic's primary concert venue is the Sumida Triphony Hall. Since 2003, its music director is Christian Arming....
, all conducted by Paul Mann.
Subsequent performances
The score of the concerto having been recreated, groups and orchestras across the world were free to perform it:| Dates | Venue | Performers |
|---|---|---|
| January 2003 (3 performances) |
Sydney Opera House Sydney Opera House The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in the Australian city of Sydney. It was conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, finally opening in 1973 after a long gestation starting with his competition-winning design in 1957... , Australia Australia Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area... |
George George (band) George are a rock band from Brisbane, Australia. Their first album, Polyserena reached #1 in the Australian Charts on 17 March 2002.-History:... and The Sydney Symphony Orchestra Sydney Symphony Orchestra The Sydney Symphony Orchestra , commonly known as the Sydney Symphony, is an Australian symphony orchestra based in Sydney... |
| March 2003 (2 performances) |
Perth, Australia Perth, Western Australia Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000.... |
George George (band) George are a rock band from Brisbane, Australia. Their first album, Polyserena reached #1 in the Australian Charts on 17 March 2002.-History:... and The Western Australian Symphony Orchestra |
| July 2006 | Henley Festival Henley Festival The Henley Festival of Music and the Arts is held each July in England on the Berkshire bank of the River Thames, at the same spot and using adapted facilities from the Henley Royal Regatta, which is held the week before.... , England |
|
| 7 October 2007 | Malcolm Arnold Festival, Northampton Northampton Northampton is a large market town and local government district in the East Midlands region of England. Situated about north-west of London and around south-east of Birmingham, Northampton lies on the River Nene and is the county town of Northamptonshire. The demonym of Northampton is... , England |
Jon Lord and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Royal Philharmonic Orchestra The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is a British orchestra based in London. It tours widely, and is sometimes referred to as "Britain's national orchestra"... |
| This festival in memory of the late Malcolm Arnold Malcolm Arnold Sir Malcolm Henry Arnold, CBE was an English composer and symphonist.Malcolm Arnold began his career playing trumpet professionally, but by age thirty his life was devoted to composition. He was ranked with Benjamin Britten as one of the most sought-after composers in Britain... also included Arnold's Symphony No. 6 Symphony No. 6 (Arnold) The Symphony No. 6, Op. 95 by Malcolm Arnold was written in 1967, and finished in July of that year. It is in three movements:*Energico*Lento - Allegretto*Con fuoco... and Lord's Masque, a work dedicated to Arnold. |
||
| 27–29 March 2008 (3 performances) |
Adelaide Adelaide Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million... , Australia |
Jon Lord and The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra Adelaide Symphony Orchestra The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra was founded as a 17 player radio ensemble in 1936, in Adelaide, South Australia. The orchestra reformed in 1949 as the 55 member South Australian Symphony Orchestra. It reverted to its original and present title, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, in late 1974, and... |
| 11–12 March 2009 (2 performances) |
Bratislava Bratislava Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and, with a population of about 431,000, also the country's largest city. Bratislava is in southwestern Slovakia on both banks of the Danube River. Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital that borders two independent countries.Bratislava... , Slovakia Slovakia The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south... |
Jon Lord and The Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra |
| 2 May 2009 | São Paulo São Paulo São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, the largest city in the southern hemisphere and South America, and the world's seventh largest city by population. The metropolis is anchor to the São Paulo metropolitan area, ranked as the second-most populous metropolitan area in the Americas and among... , Brazil Brazil Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people... |
Jon Lord and Orquestra Sinfônica Municipal de São Paulo |
| 16 May 2010 | Newark, Delaware Newark, Delaware Newark is an American city in New Castle County, Delaware, west-southwest of Wilmington. According to the 2010 Census, the population of the city is 31,454. Newark is the home of the University of Delaware.- History :... , United States United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
Brian Stone and the University of Delaware Symphony Orchestra |
| 16 June 2010 | Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880... , United Kingdom United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages... |
Jon Lord and The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra |