Symphonic rock
Encyclopedia
Symphonic rock is a sub-genre of progressive rock
. Since early in progressive rock's history, the term has been used sometimes to distinguish more classically influenced progressive rock from the more psychedelic
and experimental
forms of progressive rock.
Symphonic rock can be described as combining of progressive rock with classical music
traditions. Some artists perform rock arrangements of themes from classical music or compose original pieces in classical composition structures. Additionally, they may play with the accompaniment of a symphony
, orchestra
or use a synthesiser or mellotron
to emulate orchestral instruments.
Symphonic rock is not an orchestral rendition of hit rock and pop songs by classical orchestras; these can be considered "classical arrangements of contemporary music", though these are at times marketed as symphonic rock by various outlets. Using a symphony on a song or album does not qualify the work to be symphonic rock. It must meet the quality of being considered progressive rock
in addition to the qualities listed for being symphonic.
's Freak Out!
, concept album
s started appearing that tied all the songs on an album into a thematic whole. The Beatles
followed with their album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
(1967) incorporating significant orchestral passages and studio editing. In the same year, The Moody Blues
' Days of Future Passed
merged rock playing with orchestral accompaniment. Procol Harum
's 1968 album Shine On Brightly
contained the epic length song "In Held Twas In I". These works and experiments led to what would become progressive rock
, specifically symphonic prog in the United Kingdom
.
. The Nice
went on the produce their first album The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack
(1967). It was the first attempt at art rock
heavily influenced by psychedelic rock
. The album Ars Longa Vita Brevis
(1968) contained rock versions of classical compositions such as the Karelia Suite by Jean Sibelius
and The Brandenberg Concerto by J.S. Bach. It was their third album Nice
(1969) where they charted a course for symphonic prog with its mix of psychedelic rock, jazz, blues and classical elements. They ended with Five Bridges
(1970), a work commissioned by the Newcastle Arts Festival. The Five Bridges Suite contains five movements written by the band members instead of using existing classical works. The big criticism of the group was that they did not have a good lead singer. Keyboardist Keith Emerson
went on to form Emerson, Lake & Palmer
.
released their landmark album In the Court of the Crimson King
in 1969 bringing acclaim to progressive rock
. Many groups soon also started to use symphonic elements in the early '70s. By that time King Crimson
had moved on to a more eclectic form of progressive rock
were formed after the breakup of the Yardbirds. Their first album, Renaissance
(1969) came out two months after In the Court of the Crimson King. The album saw them mixing classical, eastern, jazz and folk elements with rock. They became a recognised symphonic prog band when they reformed in 1971 with Annie Haslam
as the vocalist for the album Prologue
(1972). They peaked with their albums Ashes Are Burning
(1973), Turn of the Cards
(1974) and Scheherazade and Other Stories
(1975).
kicked off '70s Symphonic Prog with their first album Emerson, Lake & Palmer (1970). ELP
performed classical compositions such as Mussorgsky
's "Pictures at an Exhibition
" on the album Pictures At An Exhibition
(1971) and Aaron Copland
's "Fanfare for the Common Man
" on Works, Volume 1 (1977) with electric instrument
ation. ELP
also composed suites that are considered classics of the genre most famous of which are "Tarkus
" on the album Tarkus
(1971), "The Endless Enigma" on the album Trilogy
(1972) and "Karn Evil 9
" on the album Brain Salad Surgery
(1973).
emerged in the '70s as a symphonic prog band with their second album Trespass
(1970). The high point of their symphonic prog output was Foxtrot
(1972), which contains their only long suite "Supper's Ready
" written as a variation of sonata
form, and Selling England by the Pound
(1973). After Peter Gabriel
left the group following the tour for the concept album The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
(1974), they continued in the Symphonic Prog vein until 1976's Wind & Wuthering
with Phil Collins
as the lead singer. After Steve Hackett
left the group in 1977, they became a crossover, arena rock band. Hackett, prior to leaving Genesis, released his own symphonic prog album Voyage of the Acolyte
(1975).
contains the "Atom Heart Mother
" suite with extensive orchestra use. By Meddle
(1971), specifically the suite "Echoes
", they moved in the direction of symphonic prog rather than psychedelic rock. With albums such as Wish You Were Here (1975), an ode to former band member Syd Barrett
and screed against the music business and Animals (1977), a concept album based on Animal Farm
by George Orwell
, they were firmly in the realm of symphonic prog.
, starting with their third album The Yes Album
(1971), produced a highly successful blend of classical, psychedelic and progressive ensemble rock. Their approach was similar to classical music; each instrument played its own melodic line to generate a grand musical theme. The vocals in some songs (ex. "Yours Is No Disgrace") were treated as just another instrument in the composition. They were also writing multi-part suites such as "Starship Trooper" on The Yes Album
(1971), "Heart of the Sunrise
" on Fragile
(1971), "Close To the Edge
" on Close to the Edge (1972) and "Awaken
" on Going For The One
(1977). What the mainstream rock press perceived as the excess of Tales From Topographic Oceans
(1973) marked the start of the backlash against Prog music.
, containing Thijs van Leer and Jan Akkerman, began to assert symphonic prog with their second album Focus II (Moving Waves) (1971) despite their hit song "Hocus Pocus" (which is noted for lead singer Thijs van Leer
's yodeling). This album brought them worldwide acclaim. After their next two albums Focus III
(1972) and Hamburger Concerto
(1974), they fell away from symphonic prog.
was an on again-off again, keyboard virtuoso for Yes
who also produced several solo symphonic prog concept albums. The Six Wives of Henry VIII
(1973) consisted exclusively of Rick and all his synthesisers. Journey To the Centre of the Earth
(1974) and The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table
(1975) made use of symphony orchestras and choirs along with his band. The following year No Earthly Connection
(1976) had him pare down the production to just using his band, the "English Rock Ensemble".
, consisting of Andrew Latimer and former Them keyboardist Peter Bardens, included elements from Canterbury
and space rock
into their brand of symphonic prog starting with Camel
(1973). They moved firmly into symphonic prog with their next album Mirage
(1974) and their 1975 concept album The Snow Goose. Unfortunately, they did not have a recognisable lead singer like Yes, ELP or Genesis (The Snow Goose was entirely instrumental) which limited their success. After Moonmadness
(1976), they too moved into more mainstream territory.
played rock music with orchestral arrangements and/or orchestra backing. They also released their own concept album with 1974's Eldorado
. But starting with 1975's Face the Music they favoured more of a pop rock
style.
, Rush
and Todd Rundgren's Utopia appeared in the mid '70s. These bands tended to have more of a hard rock
edge than the European bands mentioned above. French-Canadian band Harmonium
had a short career in the mid '70s during which their most notable release was Si on avait besoin d'une cinquième saison
(If We Needed A Fifth Season) (1975).
' Concerto Grosso, No. 2 and Van der Graaf Generator
's Pawn Hearts
. The most popular bands, such as Banco del Mutuo Soccorso
, Premiata Forneria Marconi
and Le Orme
, played symphonic prog heavily influenced by classical music, against the backdrop of the Italian canzone
tradition. Bands like New Trolls
, Osanna
, Metamorfosi
, Alphataurus
, Semiramis
and Biglietto per l'Inferno
had a harder edge, but still with traits of the symphonic tradition. (see Italian progressive rock
)
, released Le Cimetière des Arlequins (1973) and Au-delà du Délire (1974). Atoll
, incorporating the influences of the Mahavishnu Orchestra, released L'Araignée-Mal (1975). Pulsar
, heavily influenced by Pink Floyd
, released The Strands of the Future (1976) and Halloween (1977). Mona Lisa, noted for being very theatrical, released Avant Qu'il Ne Soit Trop Tard (1978).
bands, there were several symphonic prog bands that gained recognition. Triumvirat
, best described as an ELP
clone, released Illusions On A Double Dimple (1973), Spartacus (1975) and Old Loves Die Hard (1976). Grobschnitt
were known not only for their symphonic passages, suites and synthesiers, but also for the absurd humour and strange noises in their work, as heard on Ballerman (1974) and Rockpommel's Land (1977). Both use English vocals. Anyone's Daughter
started up just as Prog was ebbing in America and Britain. They had a string of symphonic prog albums with Adonis (1979), Anyone's Daughter (1980), Piktors Verwandlungen (1981) and In Blau (1982). With the latter two albums, the band sung the lyrics in their native German. Novalis
, noted for a heavy organ sound with comparisons to King Crimson and Pink Floyd, released Novalis (1975) and Summerabend (1976). Eloy, a progressive rock band formed by guitarist Frank Bornemann in 1969, had a distinctly symphonic sound in the second part of the '70s when Jurgen Rosenthal and Detlev Schmidtchen were part of the group (which also included Klaus-Peter Matziol). The album "Dawn" includes "Symphonic Orchestra arranged and conducted by Wolfgang Maus." These four artists (ELOY from 1976 to 1979) also produced the albums "Ocean", "Silent Cries And Mighty Echoes", and "Eloy Live".
, under the name The Cornelians, released the symphonic rock album Not an Ordinary Life. In 1978, Laza Ristovski
and Ipe Ivandić
, members of the hard rock
band Bijelo Dugme
, released the symphonic rock album Stižemo, which, among other musicians, featured Vlatko Stefanovski
of Leb i Sol
on guitar. In 1979, Bijelo Dugme released symphonic-influenced album Bitanga i princeza
, and during the same year, their frontman Željko Bebek
released his first solo album, symphonic-oriented Skoro da smo isti. The symphonic rock band Opus released only one album, Opus 1 (1975), before disbanding. The band Tako
combined symphonic and jazz rock, but disbanded after releasing only two albums, Tako (1978) and U vreći za spavanje (1980).
and punk rock
emerged as the primary forms of music. For a long time, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
declined to induct any "prog" bands. Pink Floyd
were finally inducted in 1996 and were the only "prog" band of any kind in the Hall. It was then announced in December 2009 that Genesis
will be inducted into the hall. Speculation is that this induction will open the floodgates for the other overlooked "prog" bands.
bands, such as Marillion
, IQ
, Pallas
, Twelfth Night
and Pendragon
, continued the traditions of '70s symphonic prog, but without the complexity. The main influences on the neo-prog genre are Genesis
, Yes
, Camel
and Pink Floyd
.
from Brazil released Depois Do Fim (1983) and Hungarian band Solaris
released Marsbéli Krónikák (Martian Chronicles) (1984). Only Solaris
survived into the '90s releasing Nostradamus Book of Prophecies in 1999. The early '90s saw groups like After Crying
from Hungary release Overground Music (1990), Quaterna Requiem from Brazil release Velha Gravura (1990), Anglagard
from Sweden release Hybris (1992) and Isildurs Bane
, also from Sweden, release The Voyage - A Trip To Elsewhere (1992). The last two paved the way for a symphonic prog movement in Sweden.
's eponymous first album in 1991. This marked a resurgence to a degree in the 1990s and 2000s with bands such as North Star, The Flower Kings
, Spock's Beard
, Transatlantic
, Karmakanic
, Nexus
, Pär Lindh Project
, Arena
, Apocalypse
, Glass Hammer
and many others. The advent of the Internet and new prog
band Radiohead
's self-publishing breakthrough allows these symphonic prog bands to reach an audience around the world.
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
. Since early in progressive rock's history, the term has been used sometimes to distinguish more classically influenced progressive rock from the more psychedelic
Psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that is inspired or influenced by psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues rock bands in United States and the United Kingdom...
and experimental
Experimental rock
Experimental rock or avant-garde rock is a type of music based on rock which experiments with the basic elements of the genre, or which pushes the boundaries of common composition and performance technique....
forms of progressive rock.
Symphonic rock can be described as combining of progressive rock with classical music
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
traditions. Some artists perform rock arrangements of themes from classical music or compose original pieces in classical composition structures. Additionally, they may play with the accompaniment of a symphony
Symphony
A symphony is an extended musical composition in Western classical music, scored almost always for orchestra. A symphony usually contains at least one movement or episode composed according to the sonata principle...
, orchestra
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
or use a synthesiser or mellotron
Mellotron
The Mellotron is an electro-mechanical, polyphonic tape replay keyboard originally developed and built in Birmingham, England in the early 1960s. It superseded the Chamberlin Music Master, which was the world's first sample-playback keyboard intended for music...
to emulate orchestral instruments.
Symphonic rock is not an orchestral rendition of hit rock and pop songs by classical orchestras; these can be considered "classical arrangements of contemporary music", though these are at times marketed as symphonic rock by various outlets. Using a symphony on a song or album does not qualify the work to be symphonic rock. It must meet the quality of being considered progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
in addition to the qualities listed for being symphonic.
Attributes of symphonic rock
Classical devices often employed in symphonic rock include the following- Rock arrangements of themes from classical music
- Classical composition structures
- The accompaniment of a symphonySymphonyA symphony is an extended musical composition in Western classical music, scored almost always for orchestra. A symphony usually contains at least one movement or episode composed according to the sonata principle...
orchestraOrchestraAn orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus... - Use of classical instruments, such as strings, harpsichordHarpsichordA harpsichord is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It produces sound by plucking a string when a key is pressed.In the narrow sense, "harpsichord" designates only the large wing-shaped instruments in which the strings are perpendicular to the keyboard...
and woodwinds - Higher complexity than other types of rock and pop
- Elaborate compositions in the formats of concerti, suites, symphonies, tone poems and operaOperaOpera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
s - Prominent use of the synthesiser as a substitute for symphonic orchestration
- Frequent use of the mellotronMellotronThe Mellotron is an electro-mechanical, polyphonic tape replay keyboard originally developed and built in Birmingham, England in the early 1960s. It superseded the Chamberlin Music Master, which was the world's first sample-playback keyboard intended for music...
or other tape based keyboards for the simulation of stringsString instrumentA string instrument is a musical instrument that produces sound by means of vibrating strings. In the Hornbostel-Sachs scheme of musical instrument classification, used in organology, they are called chordophones...
, choirChoirA choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
and woodwinds. - Larger thematic content than usual rock or soul music
Artists
As early as 1966, with Frank ZappaFrank Zappa
Frank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
's Freak Out!
Freak Out!
Freak Out! is the debut album by American band The Mothers of Invention, released June 27, 1966 on Verve Records. Often cited as one of rock music's first concept albums, the album is a satirical expression of frontman Frank Zappa's perception of American pop culture...
, concept album
Concept album
In music, a concept album is an album that is "unified by a theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, narrative, or lyrical." Commonly, concept albums tend to incorporate preconceived musical or lyrical ideas rather than being improvised or composed in the studio, with all songs contributing...
s started appearing that tied all the songs on an album into a thematic whole. The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
followed with their album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is the eighth studio album by the English rock band The Beatles, released on 1 June 1967 on the Parlophone label and produced by George Martin...
(1967) incorporating significant orchestral passages and studio editing. In the same year, The Moody Blues
The Moody Blues
The Moody Blues are an English rock band. Among their innovations was a fusion with classical music, most notably in their 1967 album Days of Future Passed....
' Days of Future Passed
Days of Future Passed
Days of Future Passed is the second album and first concept album by The Moody Blues, released in 1967. It was also their first album to feature Justin Hayward and John Lodge, who would play a very strong role in directing the band's sound in the decades to come...
merged rock playing with orchestral accompaniment. Procol Harum
Procol Harum
Procol Harum are a British rock band, formed in 1967, which contributed to the development of progressive rock, and by extension, symphonic rock. Their best-known recording is their 1967 single "A Whiter Shade of Pale"...
's 1968 album Shine On Brightly
Shine on Brightly
Shine on Brightly, by the UK band Procol Harum, was released in 1968 and consolidated the success of their debut album; it was influential in the development of progressive rock by breaking all pop and rock music standards with the 17-minute epic "In Held Twas in I", which marked the beginning of...
contained the epic length song "In Held Twas In I". These works and experiments led to what would become progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
, specifically symphonic prog in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
The Nice
Initially formed as a backup band for the jazz singer P. P. ArnoldP. P. Arnold
P. P. Arnold is an American-born soul singer who enjoyed considerable success in the United Kingdom in the 1960s and beyond.-Early life:...
. The Nice
The Nice
The Nice were an English progressive rock band from the 1960s, known for their blend of rock, jazz and classical music. Their debut album, The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack was released in 1967 to immediate acclaim. It is often considered the first progressive rock album...
went on the produce their first album The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack
The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack
The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack is the 1967 debut album by the English psychedelic rock and progressive rock group The Nice. It is considered one of the first albums in the latter genre....
(1967). It was the first attempt at art rock
Art rock
Art rock is a subgenre of rock music that originated in the United Kingdom in the 1960s, with influences from art, avant-garde, and classical music. The first usage of the term, according to Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, was in 1968. Influenced by the work of The Beatles, most notably their Sgt...
heavily influenced by psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that is inspired or influenced by psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues rock bands in United States and the United Kingdom...
. The album Ars Longa Vita Brevis
Ars Longa Vita Brevis (album)
Ars Longa Vita Brevis is the second album by the English progressive rock group The Nice.Guitarist David O'List left the band during the recording of the album, leaving the remaining three members to complete it. After flirting briefly with replacement guitarists , The Nice decided to carry on as a...
(1968) contained rock versions of classical compositions such as the Karelia Suite by Jean Sibelius
Jean Sibelius
Jean Sibelius was a Finnish composer of the later Romantic period whose music played an important role in the formation of the Finnish national identity. His mastery of the orchestra has been described as "prodigious."...
and The Brandenberg Concerto by J.S. Bach. It was their third album Nice
Nice (The Nice album)
Nice was the third album by The Nice; it was titled Everything As Nice As Mother Makes It in the U.S. after Immediate's distribution changed from Columbia to Capitol. Nice had been initially released in the U.S. with a slightly longer version of Rondo 69 not available on the UK or on the Capitol...
(1969) where they charted a course for symphonic prog with its mix of psychedelic rock, jazz, blues and classical elements. They ended with Five Bridges
Five Bridges
The Five Bridges Suite is a modern piece of music, written in the 1960s, combining classical music and jazz. Written about the UK city of Newcastle upon Tyne, it was released as an album by The Nice which achieved the number two position in the UK album charts...
(1970), a work commissioned by the Newcastle Arts Festival. The Five Bridges Suite contains five movements written by the band members instead of using existing classical works. The big criticism of the group was that they did not have a good lead singer. Keyboardist Keith Emerson
Keith Emerson
Keith Noel Emerson is an English keyboard player and composer. Formerly a member of the Keith Emerson Trio, John Brown's Bodies, The T-Bones, V.I.P.s, P.P. Arnold's backing band, and The Nice , he was a founder of Emerson, Lake & Palmer , one of the early supergroups, in 1970...
went on to form Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Emerson, Lake & Palmer, also known as ELP, are an English progressive rock supergroup. They found success in the 1970s and sold over forty million albums and headlined large stadium concerts. The band consists of Keith Emerson , Greg Lake and Carl Palmer...
.
King Crimson
King CrimsonKing Crimson
King Crimson are a rock band founded in London, England in 1969. Often categorised as a foundational progressive rock group, the band have incorporated diverse influences and instrumentation during their history...
released their landmark album In the Court of the Crimson King
In the Court of the Crimson King
In the Court of the Crimson King is the 1969 debut album by the British progressive rock group King Crimson. The album reached No. 5 on the British charts, and is certified gold in the United States....
in 1969 bringing acclaim to progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
. Many groups soon also started to use symphonic elements in the early '70s. By that time King Crimson
King Crimson
King Crimson are a rock band founded in London, England in 1969. Often categorised as a foundational progressive rock group, the band have incorporated diverse influences and instrumentation during their history...
had moved on to a more eclectic form of progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
Renaissance
RenaissanceRenaissance (band)
Renaissance are an English progressive rock band, most notable for their 1978 UK top 10 hit "Northern Lights" and progressive rock classics like "Carpet of the Sun", "Mother Russia" and "Ashes Are Burning".-Original incarnation :...
were formed after the breakup of the Yardbirds. Their first album, Renaissance
Renaissance (Renaissance album)
-Personnel:*Keith Relf - vocals, guitar, harmonica*Jim McCarty - percussion, vocals*John Hawken - piano, harpsichord*Louis Cennamo - bass*Jane Relf - vocals, percussion-"Island" single:...
(1969) came out two months after In the Court of the Crimson King. The album saw them mixing classical, eastern, jazz and folk elements with rock. They became a recognised symphonic prog band when they reformed in 1971 with Annie Haslam
Annie Haslam
Annie Haslam is an English progressive rock vocalist and songwriter.Originally a fashion student, she began studying under opera singer Sybil Knight in 1970 and developed her five-octave vocal range...
as the vocalist for the album Prologue
Prologue (Renaissance album)
Prologue was a 1972 album by progressive rock band Renaissance.-Information about the album:In 1972, Renaissance's then-new management disbanded the lineup at the time , retaining only Haslam and Tout to build a new band around. The new members added at this point were Camp, Sullivan, and...
(1972). They peaked with their albums Ashes Are Burning
Ashes Are Burning
Ashes Are Burning is an album by progressive rock band Renaissance, released in 1973 . It was the first of several Renaissance albums to feature an orchestra playing along with the band on some songs.-Information about the album:...
(1973), Turn of the Cards
Turn of the Cards
Turn of the Cards is a 1974 album by progressive rock band Renaissance.-Information about the album:* "Things I Don't Understand" was founder member Jim McCarty's last contribution to the band; it had already been performed live for several years when it was finally recorded.* "Running Hard" quotes...
(1974) and Scheherazade and Other Stories
Scheherazade and Other Stories
Scheherazade and Other Stories is a 1975 album by progressive rock band Renaissance. It has often been considered their overall best album....
(1975).
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Emerson, Lake & PalmerEmerson, Lake & Palmer
Emerson, Lake & Palmer, also known as ELP, are an English progressive rock supergroup. They found success in the 1970s and sold over forty million albums and headlined large stadium concerts. The band consists of Keith Emerson , Greg Lake and Carl Palmer...
kicked off '70s Symphonic Prog with their first album Emerson, Lake & Palmer (1970). ELP
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Emerson, Lake & Palmer, also known as ELP, are an English progressive rock supergroup. They found success in the 1970s and sold over forty million albums and headlined large stadium concerts. The band consists of Keith Emerson , Greg Lake and Carl Palmer...
performed classical compositions such as Mussorgsky
Mussorgsky
Mussorgsky can refer to:*The Mussorgsky family of Russian nobility;*Modest Mussorgsky, a Russian composer belonging to that family.*Mussorgsky , a 1950 Soviet film about the composer...
's "Pictures at an Exhibition
Pictures at an Exhibition
Pictures at an Exhibition is a suite in ten movements composed for piano by Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky in 1874.The suite is Mussorgsky's most famous piano composition, and has become a showpiece for virtuoso pianists...
" on the album Pictures At An Exhibition
Pictures at an Exhibition (album)
*The material on the second disc was recorded at the Lyceum Theatre in December of 1970.-Personnel:*Keith Emerson - Pipe Organ, Hammond C3 and L100 Organs, Moog Modular Synthesizer, Ribbon controller, Clavinet*Greg Lake - bass, acoustic guitar, Vocals...
(1971) and Aaron Copland
Aaron Copland
Aaron Copland was an American composer, composition teacher, writer, and later in his career a conductor of his own and other American music. He was instrumental in forging a distinctly American style of composition, and is often referred to as "the Dean of American Composers"...
's "Fanfare for the Common Man
Fanfare for the Common Man
Fanfare for the Common Man is a 20th-century American classical music work by American composer Aaron Copland. The piece was written in 1942 for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra under conductor Eugene Goossens. It was inspired in part by a famous speech made earlier in the same year where vice...
" on Works, Volume 1 (1977) with electric instrument
Electric instrument
An electric musical instrument is one in which the use of electric devices determines or affects the sound produced by an instrument. It is also known as an amplified musical instrument due to the common utilization of an electronic instrument amplifier to project the intended sound as determined...
ation. ELP
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Emerson, Lake & Palmer, also known as ELP, are an English progressive rock supergroup. They found success in the 1970s and sold over forty million albums and headlined large stadium concerts. The band consists of Keith Emerson , Greg Lake and Carl Palmer...
also composed suites that are considered classics of the genre most famous of which are "Tarkus
Tarkus (song)
"Tarkus" is the title track of Emerson, Lake & Palmer's second album. The progressive rock epic clocks in at 20:35. It was the longest studio song by the band until the three impressions of Karn Evil 9 and their concert performances. The name "Tarkus" refers to the armadillo-tank from the William...
" on the album Tarkus
Tarkus
Tarkus is the second album by the British progressive rock band Emerson, Lake & Palmer, released in 1971.In 1993 the album was digitally remastered by Joseph M. Palmaccio...
(1971), "The Endless Enigma" on the album Trilogy
Trilogy (Emerson, Lake & Palmer album)
Trilogy is the third studio album by the English progressive rock band Emerson, Lake & Palmer, released in 1972. The front cover depicts Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, while the interior of the original gatefold sleeve features a photomontage showing multiple images of the band in Epping Forest...
(1972) and "Karn Evil 9
Karn Evil 9
"Karn Evil 9" is an extended work by progressive rock group Emerson, Lake & Palmer, appearing on the album Brain Salad Surgery. A futuristic fusion of rock and classical themes, it is regarded by many fans to be their best work...
" on the album Brain Salad Surgery
Brain Salad Surgery
Brain Salad Surgery is the fourth studio album by progressive rock band Emerson, Lake & Palmer, released in 1973 and the first under their Manticore Records imprint. It fuses rock and classical themes. Lyrics were co-written by Greg Lake with fellow ex-King Crimson member Peter Sinfield. Cover...
(1973).
Genesis
GenesisGenesis (band)
Genesis are an English rock band that formed in 1967. The band currently comprises the longest-tenured members Tony Banks , Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins . Past members Peter Gabriel , Steve Hackett and Anthony Phillips , also played major roles in the band in its early years...
emerged in the '70s as a symphonic prog band with their second album Trespass
Trespass (album)
Trespass is the second studio album by Genesis and was recorded and released in 1970. Their last with guitarist Anthony Phillips, Trespass had a folk-flavoured progressive rock sound that was a marked departure from their earlier work....
(1970). The high point of their symphonic prog output was Foxtrot
Foxtrot (album)
Foxtrot is the fourth studio album by English progressive rock band Genesis and the second from the band line-up which included Peter Gabriel, Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford, Phil Collins, and Steve Hackett.-History:...
(1972), which contains their only long suite "Supper's Ready
Supper's Ready
"Supper's Ready" is a song by the band Genesis. A recorded version appeared on their 1972 album Foxtrot, and the band performed the song regularly on stage for several years following this...
" written as a variation of sonata
Sonata
Sonata , in music, literally means a piece played as opposed to a cantata , a piece sung. The term, being vague, naturally evolved through the history of music, designating a variety of forms prior to the Classical era...
form, and Selling England by the Pound
Selling England by the Pound
- Sound and live performance :The piano introduction to "Firth of Fifth" has not been included in a performance since 1974, in a Drury Lane Theatre concert, when Banks misplayed and Collins covered by starting the song from after the intro...
(1973). After Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel
Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, musician, and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock group Genesis. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career...
left the group following the tour for the concept album The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
The Lamb Lies down on Broadway
The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway is a double concept album recorded and released in 1974 by the British rock band Genesis. It was their sixth studio album and the last album by the group to feature the involvement of lead singer Peter Gabriel.-Premise:...
(1974), they continued in the Symphonic Prog vein until 1976's Wind & Wuthering
Wind & Wuthering
"It's Yourself" is the B-side to "Your Own Special Way", released February 1977-Related EP:All tracks from the Single Spot the Pigeon 20 May 1977-2007 SACD/CD/DVD Release:...
with Phil Collins
Phil Collins
Philip David Charles "Phil" Collins, LVO is an English singer-songwriter, drummer, pianist and actor best known as a drummer and vocalist for British progressive rock group Genesis and as a solo artist....
as the lead singer. After Steve Hackett
Steve Hackett
Stephen Richard Hackett is a British singer-songwriter and guitarist. He gained prominence as a member of the British progressive rock group Genesis, which he joined in 1970 and left in 1977 to pursue a solo career...
left the group in 1977, they became a crossover, arena rock band. Hackett, prior to leaving Genesis, released his own symphonic prog album Voyage of the Acolyte
Voyage of the Acolyte
Voyage of the Acolyte is the debut solo album from then-Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett. It was released in 1975 on Chrysalis Records in the US and Charisma Records for the rest of the free world. Due to the heavy contributions of Phil Collins and Michael Rutherford it is often thought of as a...
(1975).
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd are usually not included in the symphonic rock genre because they are considered by critics to not be "orchestral" enough in sound. However, their 1970 album Atom Heart MotherAtom Heart Mother
Atom Heart Mother is the fifth studio album by English progressive rock band Pink Floyd, released in 1970 by Harvest and EMI Records in the United Kingdom and Harvest and Capitol in the United States. It was recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London, England, and reached number one in the United...
contains the "Atom Heart Mother
Atom Heart Mother (suite)
"Atom Heart Mother" is a six-part suite by progressive rock band Pink Floyd, composed by all members of the band and Ron Geesin. It appeared on the Atom Heart Mother album in 1970, taking up the whole first side of the original vinyl record...
" suite with extensive orchestra use. By Meddle
Meddle
Meddle is the sixth studio album by English progressive rock group Pink Floyd. It was released in October 1971.The album was recorded at a series of locations around London, including Abbey Road Studios...
(1971), specifically the suite "Echoes
Echoes (Pink Floyd song)
"Echoes" is a song by Pink Floyd including lengthy instrumental passages, sound effects, and musical improvisation. Written in 1970 by all four members of the group , "Echoes" provides the extended finale to Pink Floyd's album Meddle...
", they moved in the direction of symphonic prog rather than psychedelic rock. With albums such as Wish You Were Here (1975), an ode to former band member Syd Barrett
Syd Barrett
Syd Barrett , born Roger Keith Barrett, was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, and painter, best remembered as a founding member of the band Pink Floyd. He was the lead vocalist, guitarist and primary songwriter during the band's psychedelic years, providing major musical and stylistic...
and screed against the music business and Animals (1977), a concept album based on Animal Farm
Animal Farm
Animal Farm is an allegorical novella by George Orwell published in England on 17 August 1945. According to Orwell, the book reflects events leading up to and during the Stalin era before World War II...
by George Orwell
George Orwell
Eric Arthur Blair , better known by his pen name George Orwell, was an English author and journalist...
, they were firmly in the realm of symphonic prog.
Yes
YesYes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
, starting with their third album The Yes Album
The Yes Album
The Yes Album is the third studio album from the English progressive rock band Yes, released on Atlantic Records. It is the last record to feature keyboardist Tony Kaye until 1983, and the first to feature guitarist Steve Howe, who replaced Peter Banks in 1970...
(1971), produced a highly successful blend of classical, psychedelic and progressive ensemble rock. Their approach was similar to classical music; each instrument played its own melodic line to generate a grand musical theme. The vocals in some songs (ex. "Yours Is No Disgrace") were treated as just another instrument in the composition. They were also writing multi-part suites such as "Starship Trooper" on The Yes Album
The Yes Album
The Yes Album is the third studio album from the English progressive rock band Yes, released on Atlantic Records. It is the last record to feature keyboardist Tony Kaye until 1983, and the first to feature guitarist Steve Howe, who replaced Peter Banks in 1970...
(1971), "Heart of the Sunrise
Heart of the Sunrise
"Heart of the Sunrise" is a progressive rock song by British band Yes. It is the closing track on their fourth album, 1971's Fragile. The compositional credits go to Jon Anderson, Bill Bruford, and Chris Squire, though keyboardist Rick Wakeman contributed some uncredited sections.The song...
" on Fragile
Fragile (Yes album)
Fragile is the fourth studio album from the English progressive rock band Yes, released on Atlantic Records. It is the first to feature keyboardist Rick Wakeman, who replaced Tony Kaye in 1971, and the first to feature cover art by Roger Dean, who would design many of the band's records.Upon its...
(1971), "Close To the Edge
Close to the Edge (song)
"Close to the Edge" is the title track to progressive rock band Yes's album of the same name. The song is over 18 minutes in length and takes up the entire first side of the album. It consists of four movements.- Movements :-I...
" on Close to the Edge (1972) and "Awaken
Awaken (song)
Awaken is a song by the British progressive rock band Yes released on their acclaimed 1977 album Going for the One. At 15 minutes and 31 seconds it is the longest track on the album, occupying most of the second side of the LP....
" on Going For The One
Going for the One
Going for the One is the eighth studio album from the English progressive rock band Yes, released in 1977 on Atlantic Records. It was produced after an extended break for solo activity from the group, and marks the return of keyboardist Rick Wakeman, who had departed in 1974 after the Tales from...
(1977). What the mainstream rock press perceived as the excess of Tales From Topographic Oceans
Tales from Topographic Oceans
-2003 CD re-issue:A remastered edition was released in 2003, which restored a two-minute ambient section at the beginning of the album's first song. This section was deleted at the last minute before the album was originally pressed...
(1973) marked the start of the backlash against Prog music.
Focus
Dutch band FocusFocus (band)
Focus is a Dutch rock band which was founded by classically trained organist/flautist Thijs van Leer in 1969, and is most famous for the instrumental pieces "Hocus Pocus" and "Sylvia"...
, containing Thijs van Leer and Jan Akkerman, began to assert symphonic prog with their second album Focus II (Moving Waves) (1971) despite their hit song "Hocus Pocus" (which is noted for lead singer Thijs van Leer
Thijs van Leer
Thijs Van Leer is a Dutch musician, singer and composer, best known for heading the Dutch progressive rock band, Focus, as primary vocalist, Hammond organ player, and flautist. He also yodels and whistles...
's yodeling). This album brought them worldwide acclaim. After their next two albums Focus III
Focus III
Focus 3 is a double-album by progressive rock band Focus, which was released in 1972, peaking #6 on the UK charts. It includes "Sylvia", a worldwide hit that reached #4 on the UK charts and #89 on the US charts...
(1972) and Hamburger Concerto
Hamburger Concerto
Hamburger Concerto, is the fourth studio album by the band Focus, released in 1974, and peaking at #20 in the UK charts. Based on the first Brahms variation on a theme by Haydn which was, itself, premiered in Hamburg.-Side one:...
(1974), they fell away from symphonic prog.
Rick Wakeman
Rick WakemanRick Wakeman
Richard Christopher Wakeman is an English keyboard player, composer and songwriter best known for being the former keyboardist in the progressive rock band Yes...
was an on again-off again, keyboard virtuoso for Yes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
who also produced several solo symphonic prog concept albums. The Six Wives of Henry VIII
The Six Wives of Henry VIII (album)
The Six Wives of Henry VIII is the debut studio album from the English keyboardist and composer Rick Wakeman, released in January 1973 on A&M Records. It is an instrumental progressive rock album with its concept based on his interpretations of the musical characteristics of the six wives of Henry...
(1973) consisted exclusively of Rick and all his synthesisers. Journey To the Centre of the Earth
Journey to the Centre of the Earth (album)
Journey to the Centre of the Earth is the second album from the English keyboardist and composer Rick Wakeman, released through A&M Records in May 1974. The album is a live recording from his second of two sold-out concerts on 18 January 1974 at the Royal Festival Hall in London...
(1974) and The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table
The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table
The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table is the second studio album from the English keyboardist and composer Rick Wakeman...
(1975) made use of symphony orchestras and choirs along with his band. The following year No Earthly Connection
No Earthly Connection
No Earthly Connection is a 1976 progressive rock concept album by Rick Wakeman. It was recorded in France for tax purposes.The LP record's sleeve attributes the album to Rick Wakeman and the English Rock Ensemble...
(1976) had him pare down the production to just using his band, the "English Rock Ensemble".
Camel
CamelCamel (band)
Camel are an English progressive rock band formed in 1971. An important group in the Canterbury scene, they have been releasing studio and live recordings steadily, with considerable success, since their formation.-1970s:...
, consisting of Andrew Latimer and former Them keyboardist Peter Bardens, included elements from Canterbury
Canterbury Scene
The Canterbury scene is a term used to loosely describe the group of progressive rock, avant-garde and jazz musicians, many of whom were based around the city of Canterbury, Kent, England during the late 1960s and early 1970s...
and space rock
Space rock
Space rock is a subgenre of rock music; the term originally referred to a group of early, mostly British, 1970s progressive and psychedelic rock bands such as Hawkwind and Pink Floyd, characterised by slow, lengthy instrumental passages dominated by electric organs, synthesizers, experimental...
into their brand of symphonic prog starting with Camel
Camel (album)
Camel is the first studio album by English progressive rock band Camel. It was released in 1973. Although most fans agree the best was yet to come Camel is the first studio album by English progressive rock band Camel. It was released in 1973. Although most fans agree the best was yet to come...
(1973). They moved firmly into symphonic prog with their next album Mirage
Mirage (Camel album)
Mirage is Camel's second album, released in 1974. It features some of their best-known songs, including "Nimrodel" and "Lady Fantasy". It is also a showcase for Andrew Latimer's flute, notably on "Supertwister"....
(1974) and their 1975 concept album The Snow Goose. Unfortunately, they did not have a recognisable lead singer like Yes, ELP or Genesis (The Snow Goose was entirely instrumental) which limited their success. After Moonmadness
Moonmadness (album)
Moonmadness is an album released in March 1976 by English progressive rock band Camel. It was their 4th album and the last to feature the original line-up...
(1976), they too moved into more mainstream territory.
Electric Light Orchestra
Others such as Electric Light OrchestraElectric Light Orchestra
Electric Light Orchestra were a British rock group from Birmingham who released eleven studio albums between 1971 and 1986 and another album in 2001. ELO were formed to accommodate Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne's desire to create modern rock and pop songs with classical overtones...
played rock music with orchestral arrangements and/or orchestra backing. They also released their own concept album with 1974's Eldorado
Eldorado (Electric Light Orchestra album)
Eldorado - A Symphony By The Electric Light Orchestra is the fourth studio album by the Electric Light Orchestra, released in 1974.-Concept:...
. But starting with 1975's Face the Music they favoured more of a pop rock
Pop rock
Pop rock is a music genre which mixes a catchy pop style and light lyrics in its guitar-based rock songs. There are varying definitions of the term, ranging from a slower and mellower form of rock music to a subgenre of pop music...
style.
North American Bands
Once these groups became popular in the United States and Canada, bands such as KansasKansas (band)
Kansas is an American rock band that became popular in the 1970s initially on Album-Oriented Rock charts, and later with hit singles such as "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind"...
, Rush
Rush (band)
Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The band is composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart...
and Todd Rundgren's Utopia appeared in the mid '70s. These bands tended to have more of a hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
edge than the European bands mentioned above. French-Canadian band Harmonium
Harmonium (band)
Harmonium was a Canadian progressive rock band from Montreal, Quebec.-History:Lead vocalist and guitarist Serge Fiori met Michel Normandeau in a theatre music meeting on November 1972. Later on in 1973 they met bassist Louis Valois and became Harmonium. In November 1973 the group performed their...
had a short career in the mid '70s during which their most notable release was Si on avait besoin d'une cinquième saison
Si on avait besoin d'une cinquième saison
Si on avait besoin d'une cinquième saison , also known as Les Cinq Saisons , is the second album from Quebec band Harmonium, released in 1975....
(If We Needed A Fifth Season) (1975).
Italy
Italy's symphonic rock boomed in 1972, after the successes of New TrollsNew Trolls
New Trolls are an Italian progressive rock band, known for their fusion of rock and classical music. Their history is filled with line-up changes, band name changes and struggles between band members.-History:...
' Concerto Grosso, No. 2 and Van der Graaf Generator
Van der Graaf Generator
Van der Graaf Generator are an English progressive rock band, formed in 1967 in Manchester. They were the first act signed to Charisma Records. The band achieved considerable success in Italy during the 1970s...
's Pawn Hearts
Pawn Hearts
Pawn Hearts is the fourth album by English progressive rock band Van der Graaf Generator, released in October 1971. The album reached number 1 on Italian album charts.-Differences between the European and North American releases:...
. The most popular bands, such as Banco del Mutuo Soccorso
Banco del Mutuo Soccorso
Banco del Mutuo Soccorso is an Italian rock band. A popular progressive rock band in the 1970s, they continued making music in the 1980s and 1990s...
, Premiata Forneria Marconi
Premiata Forneria Marconi
Premiata Forneria Marconi is an Italian progressive rock band. They were the first Italian group to have success abroad, entering both the British and American charts. Between 1973 and 1977 they released five albums with English lyrics...
and Le Orme
Le Orme
Le Orme is an Italian progressive rock band formed in 1966 in Marghera, a frazione of Venice. The band was one of the major groups of the Italian progressive rock scene in the 1970s...
, played symphonic prog heavily influenced by classical music, against the backdrop of the Italian canzone
Canzone
Literally "song" in Italian, a canzone is an Italian or Provençal song or ballad. It is also used to describe a type of lyric which resembles a madrigal...
tradition. Bands like New Trolls
New Trolls
New Trolls are an Italian progressive rock band, known for their fusion of rock and classical music. Their history is filled with line-up changes, band name changes and struggles between band members.-History:...
, Osanna
Osanna
Osanna are an Italian psychedelic rock/progressive rock band.The group originated in the Vomero neighborhood of Naples with the union of Lino Vairetti , Danilo Rustici , Massimo Guarino , Lello Brandi , from the first line-up of the band Città Frontale, and Elio D'Anna , former member of the Showmen...
, Metamorfosi
Metamorfosi (band)
Metamorfosi are an Italian symphonic rock band from Rome.They have released three albums, ...E Fu Il Sesto Giorno , Inferno and Paradiso . The two latter are concept albums based on Dante's The Divine Comedy. Inferno in particular has received critical acclaim amongst progressive rock fans....
, Alphataurus
Alphataurus
Coming from the Milan area, Alphataurus are an Italian hard rock/progressive rock band that only released one album, Alphataurus, in 1973, at the peak of the European progressive rock wave...
, Semiramis
Semiramis (band)
Semiramis is an Italian teen-ager progressive rock band who produced one LP in 1973, Dedicato a Frazz. Both the cover and the music have been described as bizarre and surrealist.- History :...
and Biglietto per l'Inferno
Biglietto per l'Inferno
Biglietto per l'Inferno is an Italian progressive rock band whose album Biglietto per l'Inferno, in spite of the limited success it scored in the 1970s, is today considered a cornerstone of the genre.- History :...
had a harder edge, but still with traits of the symphonic tradition. (see Italian progressive rock
Italian progressive rock
The Italian progressive rock scene was born in the early 70s, mostly inspired by the progressive movement in Britain, but with certain features of its own that makes some sources mention it as a separate musical genre....
)
France
Bands in France arose in the mid to late '70s influenced by both King Crimson and Genesis. Ange, influenced also by French folk musicFolk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
, released Le Cimetière des Arlequins (1973) and Au-delà du Délire (1974). Atoll
Atoll (band)
Atoll is a French progressive rock band.-Discography:* 1974 : Musiciens Magiciens* 1975 : L'Araignée-Mal* 1977 : Tertio* 1979 : Rock Puzzle* 1989 : L'Océan* 1990 : Tokyo, C'est Fini * 2003 : Illian - J'entends Gronder La Terre...
, incorporating the influences of the Mahavishnu Orchestra, released L'Araignée-Mal (1975). Pulsar
Pulsar (band)
Pulsar is a French progressive rock band whose influences include Pink Floyd and King Crimson, plus classical musicians such as Gustav Mahler.During the early 1980s, the group performed and composed the music for a Franco‑Austrian musical theatre production...
, heavily influenced by Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
, released The Strands of the Future (1976) and Halloween (1977). Mona Lisa, noted for being very theatrical, released Avant Qu'il Ne Soit Trop Tard (1978).
Germany
Amidst the KrautrockKrautrock
Krautrock is a generic name for the experimental music scenes that appeared in Germany in the late 1960s and gained popularity throughout the 1970s, especially in Britain. The term is a result of the English-speaking world's reception of the music at the time and not a reference to any one...
bands, there were several symphonic prog bands that gained recognition. Triumvirat
Triumvirat
Triumvirat was a German progressive rock trio that formed in 1969 in Cologne, Germany. The founding members were: keyboardist/composer Hans-Jürgen Fritz , drummer/lyricist Hans Bathelt, and bassist Werner Frangenberg....
, best described as an ELP
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Emerson, Lake & Palmer, also known as ELP, are an English progressive rock supergroup. They found success in the 1970s and sold over forty million albums and headlined large stadium concerts. The band consists of Keith Emerson , Greg Lake and Carl Palmer...
clone, released Illusions On A Double Dimple (1973), Spartacus (1975) and Old Loves Die Hard (1976). Grobschnitt
Grobschnitt
Grobschnitt was a West German rock band which existed between 1970 and 1989. Their style evolved as time passed, beginning with psychedelic rock in the early 1970s before transitioning into symphonic progressive rock, NDW and finally pop rock in the mid-1980s...
were known not only for their symphonic passages, suites and synthesiers, but also for the absurd humour and strange noises in their work, as heard on Ballerman (1974) and Rockpommel's Land (1977). Both use English vocals. Anyone's Daughter
Anyone's Daughter
Anyone's Daughter is a German progressive rock band founded in 1972 in Stuttgart by Uwe Karpa und Matthias Ulmer. The band started out playing covers of Deep Purple and others, and named themselves after the Deep Purple song released in 1971....
started up just as Prog was ebbing in America and Britain. They had a string of symphonic prog albums with Adonis (1979), Anyone's Daughter (1980), Piktors Verwandlungen (1981) and In Blau (1982). With the latter two albums, the band sung the lyrics in their native German. Novalis
Novalis
Novalis was the pseudonym of Georg Philipp Friedrich Freiherr von Hardenberg , an author and philosopher of early German Romanticism.-Biography:...
, noted for a heavy organ sound with comparisons to King Crimson and Pink Floyd, released Novalis (1975) and Summerabend (1976). Eloy, a progressive rock band formed by guitarist Frank Bornemann in 1969, had a distinctly symphonic sound in the second part of the '70s when Jurgen Rosenthal and Detlev Schmidtchen were part of the group (which also included Klaus-Peter Matziol). The album "Dawn" includes "Symphonic Orchestra arranged and conducted by Wolfgang Maus." These four artists (ELOY from 1976 to 1979) also produced the albums "Ocean", "Silent Cries And Mighty Echoes", and "Eloy Live".
Yugoslavia
During the 1970s, a large number of Yugoslav progressive rock bands experimented with symphonic sound. In 1973, progressive rock band Korni GrupaKorni Grupa
Korni Grupa was a former Yugoslav rock band from Belgrade. Korni Grupa was one of the first former Yugoslav rock bands to achieve major mainstream popularity. The band's first releases were commercial pop-oriented songs. Korni Grupa later turned towards progressive rock, continuing, however, to...
, under the name The Cornelians, released the symphonic rock album Not an Ordinary Life. In 1978, Laza Ristovski
Laza Ristovski
Laza Ristovski was a Serbian and former Yugoslav keyboardist, best known for his involvement with Smak and Bijelo Dugme rock bands, as well as for his eclectic solo work that spawned many different musical genres.-Biography:Laza Ristovski was born in Novi Pazar as his father, a JNA officer, was...
and Ipe Ivandić
Ipe Ivandic
Goran "Ipe" Ivandić was a former Yugoslav rock drummer, famous for his work with the band Bijelo Dugme.-Early years:...
, members of the hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
band Bijelo Dugme
Bijelo dugme
Bijelo dugme was a highly influential former Yugoslav rock band, based in Sarajevo. Active between 1974 and 1989, it is widely considered to have been the most popular band ever to exist in former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and one of the most important acts of the Yugoslav rock...
, released the symphonic rock album Stižemo, which, among other musicians, featured Vlatko Stefanovski
Vlatko Stefanovski
Vlatko Stefanovski is Macedonian ethno-rock jazz fusion guitar player.-Biography:Born in Prilep in 1957, he started playing guitar at the age of 13. Stefanovski was one of the founding members of Leb i sol with whom he recorded 13 albums between 1978 and 1991...
of Leb i Sol
Leb i sol
Leb i sol is a Macedonian rock group founded in the 1970s by Vlatko Stefanovski , Bodan Arsovski , Nikola Kokan Dimuševski and Garabet Tavitjan . Tavitjan ceded the drumwork to Dragoljub Đuričić for some of the albums, while Kiril Džajkovski replaced Kokan on Kao Kakao and Putujemo...
on guitar. In 1979, Bijelo Dugme released symphonic-influenced album Bitanga i princeza
Bitanga i princeza
Bitanga i princeza is the fourth studio album released by Yugoslav rock band Bijelo dugme.It is highly regarded as the band's most mature effort and is considered by both fans and critics alike to be one of Bijelo dugme’s finest works...
, and during the same year, their frontman Željko Bebek
Željko Bebek
Želimir "Željko" Bebek is a popular Bosnian Croat singer most notable for being the lead vocalist of Bijelo dugme from 1974 to 1984....
released his first solo album, symphonic-oriented Skoro da smo isti. The symphonic rock band Opus released only one album, Opus 1 (1975), before disbanding. The band Tako
Tako (band)
Tako was a former Yugoslav symphonic rock band from Belgrade.-History:Tako was formed in 1974 by Dušan "Dule" Ćućuz , Đorđe Ilijin , Sava Bojić and Milan "Mića Žorž" Lolić...
combined symphonic and jazz rock, but disbanded after releasing only two albums, Tako (1978) and U vreći za spavanje (1980).
The End of the Classic Period
By the late '70s the "classic" period of symphonic prog was coming to an end. The backlash against any "prog" by the mainstream rock press was in full force. DiscoDisco
Disco is a genre of dance music. Disco acts charted high during the mid-1970s, and the genre's popularity peaked during the late 1970s. It had its roots in clubs that catered to African American, gay, psychedelic, and other communities in New York City and Philadelphia during the late 1960s and...
and punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
emerged as the primary forms of music. For a long time, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a museum located on the shore of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It is dedicated to archiving the history of some of the best-known and most influential artists, producers, engineers and others who have, in some major way,...
declined to induct any "prog" bands. Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
were finally inducted in 1996 and were the only "prog" band of any kind in the Hall. It was then announced in December 2009 that Genesis
Genesis (band)
Genesis are an English rock band that formed in 1967. The band currently comprises the longest-tenured members Tony Banks , Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins . Past members Peter Gabriel , Steve Hackett and Anthony Phillips , also played major roles in the band in its early years...
will be inducted into the hall. Speculation is that this induction will open the floodgates for the other overlooked "prog" bands.
The '80s Neo-Progressive Era
In the '80s, the Neo-progressive rockNeo-progressive rock
Neo-progressive rock is a sub-genre of progressive rock, developed in the UK and popular in the 1980s, although it lives on today....
bands, such as Marillion
Marillion
Marillion are a British rock band, formed in Aylesbury, England in 1979. Their recorded studio output comprises sixteen albums generally regarded in two distinct eras, delineated by the departure of original vocalist & frontman Fish in late 1988, and the subsequent arrival of replacement Steve...
, IQ
IQ (band)
IQ are a British neo-progressive rock band founded by Mike Holmes and Martin Orford in 1981 following the dissolution of their original band The Lens...
, Pallas
Pallas (band)
Pallas are a progressive rock band based in the UK. They were one of the bands at the vanguard of what was termed neo-progressive during progressive rock's second-wave revival in the early 1980s...
, Twelfth Night
Twelfth Night (band)
Twelfth Night are an English neo-progressive rock band of the 1980s, reformed in 2007.-Formation:The seeds of Twelfth Night were sown when guitarist Andy Revell and drummer Brian Devoil joined forces on 23 February 1978 to win a talent competition at Reading University. The road crew included Geoff...
and Pendragon
Pendragon (band)
Pendragon are an English neo-progressive rock band established in 1978 in Stroud, Gloucestershire as Zeus Pendragon by guitarist and vocalist Nick Barrett. The Zeus was dropped before the band started recording as the members decided it was too long to look good on a t-shirt...
, continued the traditions of '70s symphonic prog, but without the complexity. The main influences on the neo-prog genre are Genesis
Genesis (band)
Genesis are an English rock band that formed in 1967. The band currently comprises the longest-tenured members Tony Banks , Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins . Past members Peter Gabriel , Steve Hackett and Anthony Phillips , also played major roles in the band in its early years...
, Yes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
, Camel
Camel (band)
Camel are an English progressive rock band formed in 1971. An important group in the Canterbury scene, they have been releasing studio and live recordings steadily, with considerable success, since their formation.-1970s:...
and Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
.
World Symphonic Prog
While the '80s saw neo-prog keeping a glimmer alive in the U.K. and U.S., symphonic prog was reaching other countries around the world. Asia Minor from Turkey released Between Flesh and Devine (1981), BacamarteBacamarte
Bacamarte was a Brazilian progressive rock band originally formed in 1974 by three school friends, although, because of their ages, they soon disbanded. In 1977 Neto reformed Bacamarte with a new set of musicians and it was this line-up that in 1978 recorded Bacamarte's opus Depois do Fim...
from Brazil released Depois Do Fim (1983) and Hungarian band Solaris
Solaris (band)
Solaris is a progressive rock band from Hungary. Established in 1980, the band went through several formations. Their music has a strong melodic content, often laced with Eastern European themes, and is highlighted by the use of dynamics and extended thematic development...
released Marsbéli Krónikák (Martian Chronicles) (1984). Only Solaris
Solaris (band)
Solaris is a progressive rock band from Hungary. Established in 1980, the band went through several formations. Their music has a strong melodic content, often laced with Eastern European themes, and is highlighted by the use of dynamics and extended thematic development...
survived into the '90s releasing Nostradamus Book of Prophecies in 1999. The early '90s saw groups like After Crying
After Crying
After Crying is a Hungarian musical ensemble, established in 1986, which composes and performs contemporary classical music or symphonic rock. They use instruments ranging from classical acoustical instruments like cello, trumpet, piano, flute to the instruments of a modern rock band. They...
from Hungary release Overground Music (1990), Quaterna Requiem from Brazil release Velha Gravura (1990), Anglagard
Änglagård
Änglagård is a Swedish progressive rock band, with influences including Cathedral, King Crimson, Genesis, Trettioåriga Kriget, Schicke Führs Fröhling, and Van der Graaf Generator. The band was established in 1991 by Tord Lindman and Johan Högberg , and broke up in 1994...
from Sweden release Hybris (1992) and Isildurs Bane
Isildurs Bane
Isildurs Bane is a progressive rock band from Halmstad, Sweden.- Origin of the name :Isildurs Bane is, both in the original English version and in the translated Swedish one, one of the several names of the One Ring in J. R. R. Tolkien's novel The Lord of the Rings...
, also from Sweden, release The Voyage - A Trip To Elsewhere (1992). The last two paved the way for a symphonic prog movement in Sweden.
Resurgence
Interest in symphonic prog flowered again in the U.S. and UK starting with EcholynEcholyn
Echolyn is an American progressive rock band based in eastern Pennsylvania.- Origins and first phase :Echolyn was formed in 1989 when guitarist Brett Kull and drummer Paul Ramsey, members of a recently split cover band called Narcissus, joined with keyboardist Chris Buzby to form a new band to...
's eponymous first album in 1991. This marked a resurgence to a degree in the 1990s and 2000s with bands such as North Star, The Flower Kings
The Flower Kings
The Flower Kings are a Swedish progressive rock group. Formed in August 1994 by veteran guitarist Roine Stolt as a touring band to support his solo album The Flower King, the band stayed together after the tour and have gone on to become one of the most prolific studio recording units in rock music...
, Spock's Beard
Spock's Beard
Spock's Beard is a progressive rock band formed in 1992 in Los Angeles by brothers Neal and Alan Morse. Neal played keyboards and was the lead vocalist, as well as being the primary songwriter before leaving the band in 2002 to pursue a solo career. Alan plays electric guitar...
, Transatlantic
Transatlantic (band)
Transatlantic is a progressive rock supergroup consisting of Roine Stolt of The Flower Kings, Pete Trewavas of Marillion, Mike Portnoy formerly of Dream Theater and Neal Morse formerly of Spock's Beard. They formed in 1999 as a side project to their full time bands until 2002...
, Karmakanic
Karmakanic
Karmakanic are a progressive rock / metal group founded in Malmö, Sweden in 2002 by bassist and keyboardist Jonas Reingold. Their music is marked by sharp dynamic contrasts, sudden full stops, complex timing and metre changes, abstract lyrics, and long periods of instrumentation...
, Nexus
Nexus (argentine band)
Nexus is a progressive rock band from Argentina. They are known all around the entire world, have performed many shows in different countries and have experienced good sales, reception and reviews of their albums....
, Pär Lindh Project
Pär Lindh
Pär Lindh is a founding member of the Swedish symphonic prog group Pär Lindh Project.Before turning to working in a band Pär had several careers: church organist, as a touring classical pianist, as a solo harpsichordist, as drummer, as Hammond organist, as jazz & ragtime entertainer etc.During 1977...
, Arena
Arena (band)
Arena are a British neo-progressive rock band founded in 1995 by Clive Nolan and Mick Pointer. Most of the band's lyrics are written by Nolan, though Pointer contributed lyrics to Sirens and other tracks on the first two albums....
, Apocalypse
Apocalypse (band)
Apocalypse is a progressive rock band from Brazil that plays symphonic rock with strong electronic keyboard orientation. Many influences can be noticed among their discography, but Genesis, Yes, ELP, Pink Floyd, Rush and Marillion are the most present....
, Glass Hammer
Glass Hammer
Glass Hammer is a progressive rock band from Chattanooga, Tennessee. They formed in 1992 when multi-instrumentalists Steve Babb and Fred Schendel began to write and record Journey of the Dunadan, a concept album based on the story of Aragorn from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings...
and many others. The advent of the Internet and new prog
New prog
New prog is a term used to describe a number of recent alternative rock/experimental bands who incorporate elements from progressive rock.Most notable bands described as new prog include:...
band Radiohead
Radiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
's self-publishing breakthrough allows these symphonic prog bands to reach an audience around the world.
See also
- Progressive rockProgressive rockProgressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
- Art rockArt rockArt rock is a subgenre of rock music that originated in the United Kingdom in the 1960s, with influences from art, avant-garde, and classical music. The first usage of the term, according to Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, was in 1968. Influenced by the work of The Beatles, most notably their Sgt...
- Neo-progressive rockNeo-progressive rockNeo-progressive rock is a sub-genre of progressive rock, developed in the UK and popular in the 1980s, although it lives on today....
- Italian progressive rockItalian progressive rockThe Italian progressive rock scene was born in the early 70s, mostly inspired by the progressive movement in Britain, but with certain features of its own that makes some sources mention it as a separate musical genre....
- Symphonic metalSymphonic metalSymphonic metal is a term used to describe heavy metal music that has symphonic elements; that is, elements that are either borrowed from classical music or, as with progressive rock music, create a style reminiscent of it, e.g...
- Neo-classical metalNeo-classical metalNeo-classical metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music that is heavily influenced by classical music. It refers to a very technical performanceExact quote from the french text: "L'arrivée du néoclassique remet au goût du jour la virtuosité et le travail de l'instrument", « Les secrets du metal-...