Classical music & "Pop' Tarts"

[Otokichi]

Please excuse the odd subject line, but it's better than the original IMDB post expressing intense dislike of Pop/Rock musicians mixing it up with Opera singers or symphony orchestras, so:

1. Pop/Rock singers doing duets with Pop/Rock stars.

2. Rock bands appearing with symphony orchestras.

Instance #1: Not being a big fan of Opera, I can't recall a Pop/Rock star singing a duet with the likes of, say, Kiri Te Kanawa or Frederica von Stade. (So I considered Rod Stewart trying to keep up with a vigorous Soprano...It's not a pretty picture.)

As for #2, The Siegal-Schwall Blues Band and the SF Symphony, conducted by Seiji Ozawa is the earliest example I can think of. Frank Zappa also played with a symphony orchestra, doing his unique take on composition/performance.

Sorry if I've put you to sleep, so Wake Up! and tell me if these two musical pairings are execrable or merely interesting.

Edited February 20, 2006 by Guest
Subject line too long; "Pop' Tarts" phrase needed

[Jimmy1104]

While I can't see Zappa playing with any Philharmonic or Symphony orchestra, there are plenty who have and have included them in albums. Elton John I believe has two albums where the orchestras are part of the live album. "Here and There" is one of the albums. Others who have performed with symphonies off the top of my head are Rick Wakeman and Queen.

On the other hand, I am right now scratching my head trying to remember who may have dueted with an opera star. I actually thought Elton did but am having trouble thinking of any by him.

[edna]

Freddy Mercury sung with Montserrat Caballe "Barcelona" and I think something else too.

George Michael, Tracy Chapman and Annie Lennox have duets with Pavarotti.

[Jimmy1104]

Thanks Edna.....I knew you would have the answers. I was sure there were pop artists out there who sang duets with opera stars, just could not think of any.

Opera and myself do not mix. It is up there with rap music as music I just do not care to listen to.

[edna]

There are many bands that performed with a Symphony Orchestra... The Beatles did in Sgt Peppers, I guess they were the first ones to do it...

[SoulGirl]

bono did that passengers thing with pavarotti too, 'miss sarajevo' was their biggest song.

[Tenacious_Peaches]

Aretha Franklin stepped in a the last minute for Luciano Pavorotti at the Grammys a few years back and sang an aria from Puccini's Turandot.

Metallica played some of their songs with the (I believe) San Francisco Symphony Orchestra.

[Uncle Joe]

Didn't Mozart do the instrumental backing on Blue Moon by The Mar-Cellos?

[RonJonSurfer]

The Beatles played with orchestras..."All You Need Is Love" is a prime example.

[Shawna]

Alanis Morrisette did a live performance at the Grammys with an orchestral accompaniment the year she won for best record with "You Oughtta Know." I have the CD for that because I thought it was far and away better than the studio recording on her album.

There's an old Barry Manilow song, "Could It Be Magic," where he uses an orchestral backup.

And Meatloaf on his "Bat Out Of Hell" album uses an orchestral backup for "For Crying Out Loud" - by the way, my favorite song off that album.

[phil]

Jimmy, Zappa wrote many symphonic pieces. He was influenced by French composer Edgar Varese (1883-1965). Varese was considered the Father of Electronic music. His detractors said he wrote the worst music ever made.

[CanAm]

Procol Harem recorded a live album in 1972 with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and I believe The Moody Blues used orchestras on several of their recordings. As mentioned earlier, Rick Wakeman has often utilized symphony or chamber orchestras on his recordings.

[bluesboy]

Another Beatles & George Martin cut - Eleanor Rigby.

[Sweet Jane 61]

The Scoprians did Rock Me Like a Hurricane in 2000 with a symphony...it sounds cool, but then just doesn't finish big...fades down along the way.

[Jazzcat]

I don't think orchestral backing to a pop/rock tune is in the spirit of the original post. I sort of like the Corky Siegal Chamber Blues recordings. It's an interesting and fresh approach to two very old and established musical genres.

[Sweet Jane 61]

Well I was just following the flow of the thread, and as mentioned The Moody Blues and other groups using symphony music while recording and The Scorpians came to mind. Threads have a way of taking a life of their own on here. I don't think anyone gets offended if the thread expands.

[Jazzcat]

Point taken and actually the Moody Blues is probably a pretty good example since they recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra. I was thinking in terms of 10 studio guys who play orchestral instruments not really following the original posters intent. Thanks for bringing me down to earth.