CONCERTO SUITE FOR ELECTRIC GUITAR AND ORCHESTRA IN E FLAT MINOR OP. 1

A must in your collection.

You have to get this album. Why? Just because it's one of it's kind. A dynamic and super- catchy blend of Fender Stratocaster with somptuous classical music. If you love dusk, that special period of the day, this is right your alley.

There's no drums, no bass, no vocals. Just an orchestra and Mr. Fast Hands. But it's not 'metal' per se, since there's no back up band, but there's the most impressive connection between the electric guitar and the symphonic genre. Don't worry, it's not all pedal to the metal, there's some softer moments and it's mostly upbeat.

This record makes me want to run fast in the wind on a stormy day. Get this, almost impossible to regret.

Unwinding.

Classical music with electric guitar

Yngwie Malmsteen's Concerto Suite For Electric Guitar And Orchestra In E Flat Minor Op. 1 is pretty much exactly what the title says - lots of electric guitar over a full symphony orchestra. I don't know of anything else like it and I must say that it is very successful indeed taken for what it is. This is certainly one of Malmsteen's most adventurous projects, but it has nothing to do with Prog as such. It might indeed be thought to be "progressive" in some sense of that word, but there is no Rock here whatsoever. There are no drums, no bass, no keyboards, no vocals - this is pure Classical music, albeit with electric (and some acoustic) guitar. It might leave some of Malmsteen's traditional fans bewildered, but those who had dismissed him before might be even more bewildered and, dare I say, very much impressed!

This is certainly not the Malmsteen album that I would recommend the most, but Prog fans with a taste for Classical music should definitely check this out. It is not the type of thing I would normally like, but I have to admit that this is high quality music and I enjoy listening to it. As I have emphasized above, this is not Rock music. But there is some of that same passion and fire that can be found on Malmsteen's better Rock albums.

Recommended

My collection of classical music consists of Beethoven, Bach, Stravinsky, Mozart, and Vivaldi; I do not frequently listen to classical music but really enjoy it. Therefore, take whatever I say with a grain of salt considering I'm as far from an expert as can be.

I really enjoy this album. My level of enjoyment is right up there with Beethoven's 6-8 symphonies. Maybe it is simply my unsophisticated taste, but I'd be lying if I said otherwise. Yngwie has some serious talent, but a lot of his material falls flat after Rising Force. Sometimes he is at his best when he isn't constantly shredding.

If you like this album, there's also a good video of him doing a live performance with an orchestra.

I always think that this album, which is a concerto with Yngwie plays electric guitar as soloist, accompanied by Czech Philharmonic orchestra - is kind of his long term ambitions or even dream. Unlike the other well known blending of rock and classical genres like Deep Purple's Concerto for Group and Orchestra or Rick Wakeman's Journey to the Centre of the Earth, Yngwie plays all the soloist part, with mainly electric guitar (there are 2 tracks with acoustic guitar) with orchestration.

It will be more appropriate to have an overall feel of the concerto, rather than review each of the tracks. I think YJM did a great work in building the entire composition. From grand opening, slower movement between faster ones and the great staging to the ending. YJM uses many phrases from his song catalogue and arranges them to fit in particular movement in the composition. Some of well known pieces are from 'Icarus Dream' (1984 Rising Force), 'Eclipse' and 'Demon Driver' (1990 Eclipse) and 'Liar' (1986 Trilogy).

There are many remarkable moments in the concerto. The opening of the concerto 'Icarus Dream Fanfare' is a glorious start. Yngwie strips down the 'adagio in G-minor' part and uses the middle part as the fanfare (what a nice twist). The end part 'Presto Vivace' and 'Finale' are among best and most passionate part of the concerto.

This is a unique, great album from a guitar virtuoso. A showcase to not only his playing technique but also capability in composing an orchestration that unifies the heavy metal and classical music.