Live - 2. Concerto for Group and Orchestra

1. 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 texture, giving a sinfonia concertante look and feel.
• Third movement (Vivace - Presto): apart from Ian Paice'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.

2. Performances, recordings and releases.

2.1. 1969 performance (& recording)

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

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

• The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Malcolm Arnold