Quadrophenia Goes Symphonic!

Pete Townshend has announced a symphonic reimagining of the Who’s Quadrophenia, orchestrated by his partner, Rachel Fuller. Classic Quadrophenia will be released by the esteemed classical label Deutsche Grammophon in June 2015. In a statement, Townshend said he hoped this version of Quadrophenia would help “reinvigorate” classical audiences, “[bringing] people who might not otherwise go to see a symphony orchestra perform without lights and fireworks and a movie screen”.

Townshend himself plays electric guitar on the record, which was recorded in October at London’s Air Studios. But Roger Daltrey is absent; almost all the vocals will be provided by platinum-selling English tenor Alfie Boe. “[Quadrophenia] is in my blood,” Boe said. “I wouldn’t separate [this music] from a symphony by Beethoven or Mozart.” Townshend claimed the 41-year-old singer reminds him of Daltrey. “[Alfie] gives every performance his all … He’s a funny man too, and good looking. The girls like him. I can’t wait to be on stage with him. I’m going to push him into the orchestra pit.”

Boe and Townshend recorded Classic Quadrophenia with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the London Oriana Choir, conducted by Robert Ziegler. All of these players will reunite for the orchestral arrangement’s world premiere: 5 July 2015, at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Tickets are on sale on 5 December.

Source: The Guardian