Live -2. Concerto for Group and Orchestra, September 24, 1969.[Harvest Records] January 1970 (UK)

Live -2. Concerto for Group and Orchestra

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Concerto for Group and Orchestra
Live album by Deep Purple
Released	December 1969 (United States) January 1970 (United Kingdom)
Recorded	September 24, 1969
Genre	Classical/rock
Length	59:26
Label	Tetragrammaton (US) Harvest Records (UK) Warner Bros. (US) (reissue) Polydor Records (Canada)
Producer	Deep Purple
Professional reviews
Allmusic link
Deep Purple chronology
Concerto for Group and Orchestra (1969) Made in Japan (1972)

Concerto for Group and Orchestra
Video by Deep Purple
Released	6 May 2003 4 April 1970 (TV),
Recorded	September 24, 1969
Genre	Classical/rock
Length	52:30 The Best of Both Worlds
Label	Eagle Rock Ent
Deep Purple video chronology
Concerto for Group and Orchestra (1969) Live in Concert 72/73 (1972 & 1973)

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 September 24, 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.

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.

1. Original 1969 Royal Albert Hall Performance.

1.1. Performance

The piece was first performed and recorded on September 24, 1969 in the Royal Albert Hall, London, 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

The programme consisted of:

1. Symphony No. 6, Op. 95 (Malcom Arnold), performed by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
   1. "1st Movement: Energico" (9:19)
   2. "2nd Movement: Lento" (8:52)
   3. "3rd Movement: Con Fuoco" (7:02)
2. "Hush" (Joe South, 4:42), performed by Deep Purple
3. "Wring That Neck" (Ritchie Blackmore, Nick Simper, Jon Lord, Ian Paice, 13:23), performed by Deep Purple
4. "Child in Time" (Blackmore, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Lord, Paice - 12:06), performed by Deep Purple
5. Concerto for Group and Orchestra (Jon Lord, with lyrics by Ian Gillan), performed by Deep Purple with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
   1. "First Movement: Moderato-Allegro" (19:23)
   2. "Second Movement: Andante" (19:11)
   3. "Third Movement: Vivace-Presto" (13:09)

Parts of the Concerto's "Third Movement" - 5:53 - were given as an encore.