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Deep Purple - In Concert With The London Symphony Orchestra
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Perfomance highlights virtuosity & musical talent of Deep Purple
Review date: 2007-01-28 Rating: 10 out of 10
The clash of musical genres is starkly evident in this concert. If one is a fan of Deep Purple or heavy rock in particular but hates music in the classical format, this DVD will not appeal at all.
This concert comprises 3 types of tracks:
o Classic Deep Purple songs albeit with some orchestral accompaniment
o The experimental concerto entitled "Concerto for Group & Orchestra" in 3 movements
o Assorted compositions by Jon Lord of a non rock nature.
The DVD commences with a number of tracks by Jon Lord which were not written together with Deep Purple. Genuine "metalheads" will take umbrage at their inclusion & will take some getting used to although they are all excellent tracks except for "Love is All". All are more in a classical style rather than having a rock flavour.
For me the key pieces are the 3 movements of the Concerto. These were originally written by Jon Lord in 1969 as an experimental fusion of rock & classical music. It was performed twice with the LSO & largely forgotten. Due to pressure from certain quarters for its resurrection, Jon Lord undertook to have it re-performed.
And what a success it was. Two performances were held with the LSO in the Royal Albert Hall in 1999, thirty years since its first and only performance. The musical genius of Jon Lord, Deep Purple's keyboardist | organ player shines through. For me, the third movement is the best with the rock & classical styles meshing seamlessly. Ian Paice, Deep Purple's drummer is involved in a drum solo with the orchestra drummer on the kettle drums to his obvious delight.
At the risk of classical aficionados having apoplexy, I contend that this concerto is any bit as good as the best Concertos by Beethoven such the Egmont or Prometheus. A Beethoven concerto is never a dull affair with its driving beat & has always seemed to me to be more akin to rock music than Mozart's work. And so the comparison is not unfair. The sheer audacity of having oboe solos, Steve Morse's wailing guitar & an orchestral string's sections competing finally comes together in the 3rd movement. In the 1st movement the guitar solo is too disconnected from the orchestral theme but was apparently just what Jon Lord intended. The 2nd movement is light weight & without substance.
Only two tracks are classic Deep Purple, as finale, the well known "Smoke on the Water" and a jazzy version of "Wring that Neck" from their Mark I era. A number of songs such as "Ted the Mechanic" are from the reformation in the 1980's & highlight DP's continuing ability to write excellent songs.
Overall this is an excellent production but will require more than a small measure of open-mindedness in certain quarters for its acceptance. This, I fear, will be its Achilles heal. For me this production ranks with the best of the Mark II or Mark III era & in fact in many ways surpasses it in that with more instruments at his disposal, Jon Lord was able to give his music more depth of expression.
Similar Products
- Deep Purple - Concerto For Group And Orchestra [1969]
- Deep Purple - Come Hell Or High Water [1994]
- Concerto for Group and Orchestra
- Rainbow - Live In Munich 1977
- Good To Be Bad
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Deep Purple
Recording label: Eagle Rock Entertainment Ltd
Manufacturer: Eagle Rock Entertainment Ltd
EAN: 5034504900295
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Box set, PAL,
Release date: 2004-11-08
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Audience rating: Exempt
Running time: 120 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1999
Language: English (Unknown)
Language: English (Original Language)