"The Best of Both Worlds: The Deep Purple in Concert with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra" (1970 release; 52 min.) brings the BBC TV release first aired in April, 1970 of the band's extraordinary live performance at the Royal Albert Hall on September 24, 1969, where Jon Lord's "Concerto for Group and Orchestra" received its world premiere. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra was conducted by none other than Malcolm Arnold, a heavy weight (literally and figuratively) in the classical music world.
Couple of comments: this documentary starts with several minutes of interviews including both Jon Lord and Malcolm Arnold, but then we go to the music itself about 4 minutes in. "Concerto for Group and Orchestra" is brought in 3 movements. The only downside of this TV recording is that for reasons unknown, the BBC cut about 4 minutes from the first movement. Other than that, this documentary is an essential time capsule in rock history. Indeed, Deep Purple (or as the BBC lists them as "The" Deep Purple) was the very first band to interweave rock with classical on this scale (others would follow including Procol Harum, Yes, etc.). Lord's "Concerto" was (perhaps still is?) derided by many in the classical music world. Don't let them fool you. This is an immensely enjoyable piece of music, with the band and the orchestra going back and forth fluently. (Famously, Richie Blackmore afterwards complained about the overall experience, and how he could feel the contempt of the Royal Philharmonic towards the band.)
I hadn't seen this footage in forever and then just the other night, I had an impulse to look for this on YouTube, and there it was. I had the album on vinyl for many years after I "borrowed" it from my older sister back in the day. Then I bought the expanded CD version (I think in the 90s?). But to see the actual footage is the ultimate. If you are familiar with the performance from the album or CD but you've never seen the actual footage as captured by the BBC, you are in for a treat. Enjoy!
Couple of comments: this documentary starts with several minutes of interviews including both Jon Lord and Malcolm Arnold, but then we go to the music itself about 4 minutes in. "Concerto for Group and Orchestra" is brought in 3 movements. The only downside of this TV recording is that for reasons unknown, the BBC cut about 4 minutes from the first movement. Other than that, this documentary is an essential time capsule in rock history. Indeed, Deep Purple (or as the BBC lists them as "The" Deep Purple) was the very first band to interweave rock with classical on this scale (others would follow including Procol Harum, Yes, etc.). Lord's "Concerto" was (perhaps still is?) derided by many in the classical music world. Don't let them fool you. This is an immensely enjoyable piece of music, with the band and the orchestra going back and forth fluently. (Famously, Richie Blackmore afterwards complained about the overall experience, and how he could feel the contempt of the Royal Philharmonic towards the band.)
I hadn't seen this footage in forever and then just the other night, I had an impulse to look for this on YouTube, and there it was. I had the album on vinyl for many years after I "borrowed" it from my older sister back in the day. Then I bought the expanded CD version (I think in the 90s?). But to see the actual footage is the ultimate. If you are familiar with the performance from the album or CD but you've never seen the actual footage as captured by the BBC, you are in for a treat. Enjoy!