Keith Emerson is realizing the projects of his dreams in a close collaboration with the Norwegian conductor Terje Mikkelsen and American guitarist Marc Bonilla. At long last it is possible to hear great works like ‘Tarkus’, ‘Endless Enigma Suite’ and ‘Abaddon’s Bolero’ with a four piece band and a full symphony orchestra! And Keith Emerson of course features as soloist on Moog and piano.
Classics into rock
Emerson’s career, forming bands including The Nice and Emerson, Lake & Palmer, have established him as the icon within prog rock. He brought composers like Mussorgsky, Sibelius, Bach, Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky directly into rock music, keeping the doors between the genres wide open. This brought the classics to a big new audience in the 70s, but sadly such activity was generally frowned upon by the classical community. Today the tide has changed and Emerson the composer receives great praise and interest from all over the world. Guitar phenomenon Marc Bonilla leads the brilliant band and maestro Terje Mikkelsen really fires up the Munich Radio Orchestra in these luscious orchestrations.
Emerson’s music for symphony orchestra – full circle
Three Fates Project is about making Emerson’s music resound in a symphonic scale. Conductor Terje Mikkelsen has the rock-and-roll approach needed, as well as total control over the symphony orchestra in break-neck ensemble with the Keith Emerson Band. In many ways the Three Fates Project completes the circle: Emerson brought classics into rock – now it is Emerson’s own music being performed by a classical orchestra.
Keith Emerson Band in symphony on CD, DVD and an exclusive selection on 180g vinyl
‘Tarkus (concertante)’ is no doubt the main work on this release, a 20 minutes epic work. ‘The Endless Enigma Suite’ in symphonic colours is of course also here, plus a new moving piece called ‘After all of this’. Marc Bonilla also contributes with three very attractive pieces on this recording, in addition to two works with the unmistakable Emerson twist from his biggest source of inspiration: Aaron Copland and Alberto Ginastera. A limited first edition of the CD also includes an exclusive DVD from the whole project. Also a separate vinyl pressing is available under the title Three Fates Project – Tarkus (concertante).
