Artist: DEEP PURPLE
Album: CONCERTO FOR GROUP AND ORCHESTRA (DVD)

Release date: 1969/ 2003
Media type: DVD

Overshadowed in rock history by the Moody Blues' Days of Future Passed and the symphonic rock of Emerson, Lake, & Palmer, Deep Purple's Concerto for Group and Orchestra is an event that shouldn't be forgotten. Composed by keyboardist Jon Lord, this three-movement concerto begins as an antagonistic contest between Deep Purple and the 80-piece Royal Philharmonic, under the mediating baton of conductor Malcolm Arnold. The second movement finds group and orchestra coming to terms with each other, while the third unites them into an integrated whole. Everybody's evidently mystified when guitarist Richie Blackmore hijacks the first movement with an amazing but unexpectedly extended solo, and it's obvious that some of the tuxedoed players aren't too keen about sharing Royal Albert Hall with long-haired rockers.

Still, this remains one of the most remarkable efforts to meld "the best of both worlds," and Lord's jovial commentary track guides the viewer/listener through all the musical hazards and highlights. Originally recorded for British television and superbly remastered for DVD (in Dolby Digital Stereo, Dolby 5.1-channel Surround, or DTS Surround), this premier performance is a must-have for Deep Purple fans, and the casually curious will also be richly rewarded.

MUSICAL FORM:

The Concerto for Group and Orchestra displays some characteristics of the concerto grosso, sinfonia concertante, and 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 Gillan: here the group integrates more with the sound of the orchestra while still clearly on top of the orchestral tissue, giving a sinfonia concertante look and feel.

Third movement (Vivace - Presto): apart from Ian Paice's drum solo, the music is so tighly 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.

TRACKLIST DVD:

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Malcolm Arnold
Malcolm Arnold's 6th Symphony Op. 95:

"1st Movement": Energico 9:19
"2nd Movement": Lento 8:52
"3rd Movement": Con Fuoco 7:02

Deep Purple:

Songs:
"Hush" (Joe South) 4:42
"Wring that Neck" (Blackmore, Lord, Paice, Nick Simper) 13:23
"Child in Time" (Blackmore, Gillan, Glover, Lord, Paice) 12:06

Deep Purple with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Malcolm Arnold
Concerto for Group and Orchestra:

"First Movement": Moderato-Allegro (Lord) 19:23
"Second Movement": Andante (Lord; lyrics by Gillan) 19:11
"Third Movement": Vivace-Presto (Lord) 13:09
"Encore - Third Movement": Vivace-Presto (Part) (Lord) 5:53

LINE-UP:

Live concert in the Royal Albert Hall (London), performed by:

Deep Purple:
Ian Gillan - vocals
Ritchie Blackmore - lead guitar
Jon Lord - organ, keyboards
Roger Glover - bass guitar
Ian Paice - drums

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Malcolm Arnold