Record Reviews

JON LORD ~ CONCERTO FOR GROUP AND ORCHESTRA EAR MUSIC 4029759081838 (Barcode: 4029759081838) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2011 - 2012 Released: 2012 British organist / composer Jon LordFind albums by this artist composed his legendary “Concerto For Group And OrchestraFind albums with this title” in 1969, when he was a member of the iconic British group Deep PurpleFind albums by this artist. The concerto was first recorder live by Deep Purple with the Royal Philharmonic OrchestraFind albums by this artist, conducted by Malcolm ArnoldFind albums by this artist, and became Depp Purple’s 4th consecutive album (1st live). It was one of the first Rock albums to feature a full orchestra. The concerto’s original score was lost shortly after the first performance and was later painstakingly recreated by Lord and since 1999 was performed live many times around the globe with many different orchestras. This album presents the first studio recording of the concerto, recorded in 2011 and 2012, and completed shortly before Lord’s death in July of 2012. The orchestral parts were executed by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic OrchestraFind albums by this artist conducted by Paul MannFind albums by this artist. The group parts were executed by Lord, guitarists Darin VasilevFind albums by this artist, Joe BonamassaFind albums by this artist and Steve MorseFind albums by this artist, vocalists Steve BalsamoFind albums by this artist, Kasia LaskaFind albums by this artist and Bruce DickinsonFind albums by this artist, bassist Guy PrattFind albums by this artist and drummer Brett MorganFind albums by this artist. Separated by forty-two years, this version of the concerto offers a much better balance between the Rock group and the orchestra and a sublime sound quality, which was simply unobtainable at the time of the original recording. The music lost absolutely nothing of its power, beauty and relevance over time and is still very much a model of cross-genre thinking. Overall, this is a timeless classic, which every fan of Rock, Prog and good music in general must have in his private music library. Thanks to Lord’s determination to complete this project before his departure, we can now enjoy it in its full glory.

Updated: 16/12/2021Posted: 16/12/2021

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

JON LORD ~ DURHAM CONCERTO AVIE 2145 (Barcode: 822252214529) ~ UK ~ Classical Recorded: 2007 Released: 2007 Known to the world as the founder of the seminal Rock / Prog group Deep PurpleFind albums by this artist, organist / composer / bandleader Jon LordFind albums by this artist is less known for his great love of Classical Music, although much of his late period activity was almost completely dedicated to that genre. As early as 1969 Lord astonished the Rock world as a pioneer of Rock-Classical Fusion with his “Concerto For Group And OrchestraFind albums with this title”, which was one of the first recordings of Rock incorporating a Philharmonic Orchestra. He flirted with the Rock-Classical Fusion idiom on several of the early Deep Purple albums, in a less obvious form, as well as on his early solo albums and recordings with other musicians (“Gemini SuiteFind albums with this title”, “WindowsFind albums with this title”, “SarabandeFind albums with this title” and others) and his love for Classical Music was always present in his life. By the turn of the Millennium Lord started to record a series of Classical music albums, starting with “Pictured WithinFind albums with this title” and followed by “Beyond The NotesFind albums with this title”, “Durham ConcertoFind albums with this title”, “Boom Of The Tingling StringsFind albums with this title” and finally “To Notice Such ThingsFind albums with this title”. He also participated in recording of a new version of the “Concerto For Group And Orchestra”, sadly unable to see it completed and released before his parting. “Durham Concerto” is a three-part concerto for four soloist and orchestra. Each of the three parts is subdivided into two chapters. The soloists are: Mathew BarleyFind albums by this artist on cello, Jon Lord on Hammond organ, Ruth PalmerFind albums by this artist on violin and Kathryn TickellFind albums by this artist on Northumbrian pipes and the orchestral parts are performed by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic OrchestraFind albums by this artist conducted by Mischa DamevFind albums by this artist. The music is absolutely stunning, and although strictly within the Classical norms, it has a “subversive” Rocky feel at times and the usage of the Hammond organ and Northumbrian pipes offer a wonderful variety and aural diversity. The music is very “English”, which is hardly surprising, divinely melodic and deeply moving. Lord certainly had a lot to offer as a Classical composer, far reaching with his ideas, same as he did in Rock music, and deserves to be remembered as such. This album is a great addition to every serious record collection and offers a most rewarding listening experience, which is wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 26/02/2021Posted: 26/02/2021

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

JON LORD ~ TO NOTICE SUCH THINGS AVIE 2190 (Barcode: 822252219029) ~ UK ~ Classical Recorded: 2010 Released: 2010 Known to the world as the founder of the seminal Rock / Prog group Deep PurpleFind albums by this artist, organist / composer / bandleader Jon LordFind albums by this artist is less known for his great love of Classical Music, although much of his late period activity was almost completely dedicated to that genre. As early as 1969 Lord astonished the Rock world as a pioneer of Rock-Classical Fusion with his “Concerto For Group And OrchestraFind albums with this title”, which was one of the first recordings of Rock incorporating a Philharmonic Orchestra. He flirted with the Rock-Classical Fusion idiom on several of the early Deep Purple albums, in a less obvious form, as well as on his early solo albums and recordings with other musicians (“Gemini SuiteFind albums with this title”, “WindowsFind albums with this title”, “SarabandeFind albums with this title” and others) and his love for Classical Music was always present in his life. By the turn of the Millennium Lord started to record a series of Classical music albums, starting with “Pictured WithinFind albums with this title” and followed by “Beyond The NotesFind albums with this title”, “Durham ConcertoFind albums with this title”, “Boom Of The Tingling StringsFind albums with this title” and finally “To Notice Such ThingsFind albums with this title”. He also participated in recording of a new version of the “Concerto For Group And Orchestra”, sadly unable to see it completed and released before his parting. “To Notice Such Things” is a six-part suite for flute, piano and orchestra. The soloists are: Cormac HentyFind albums by this artist on flute and Jon Lord on piano and the orchestral parts are performed by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic OrchestraFind albums by this artist conducted by Clark RundellFind albums by this artist. The album also includes three additional short pieces, composed earlier and appearing here in new instrumentation, as well as a recitation of a poem by Thomas HardyFind albums by this artist (read by Jeremy IronsFind albums by this artist). The music is absolutely beautiful and very “English” in nature, which is hardly surprising, divinely melodic and deeply moving. Lord certainly had a lot to offer as a Classical composer, far reaching with his ideas, same as he did in Rock music, and deserves to be remembered as such. This album is a great addition to every serious record collection and offers a most rewarding listening experience, which is wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 01/03/2021Posted: 01/03/2021

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend