Concerto Suite for Electric Guitar and Orchestra
Starring: Yngwie MalmsteenStudio: Eagle Vision USA
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Format: Color, Live, NTSC
Running Time: 72 minutes
DVD Release: November 1st 2005
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DVD Review
Guitar God Yngwie J. Malmsteen adds the title of "Guitar Maestro" to his resume in the magnificent "Concerto Suite for Electric Guitar and Orchestra". Filmed in 2001 with The New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, Malmsteen melds his guitar prowess with some of the finest classical music composed in this concerto written by Yngwie.
This DVD has been a sought-after program by Yngwie’s American faithful for years, and is available for the first time in North America.
Tracklisting:
1. BLACK STAR OVERTURE
2. TRILOGY SUITE OP. 5
3. BROTHERS
4. ICARUS DREAM FANFARE
5. CAVALLINO RAMPANTE
6. FUGUE
7. PRELUDE TO APRIL
8. TOCCATA
9. ANDANTE
10. SARABANDE
11. ALLEGRO
12. ADAGIO
13. VIVACE
14. PRESTO VIVACE
15. FINALE
16. BLITZKRIEG
17. FAR BEYOND THE SUN
18. EVIL EYE
User Reviews
Malmsteen at his best, and an extraordinary DVD. - Rating: 5/5
Words that come to mind while experiencing this performance are fabulous, magnificent, breath-taking. A previous reviewer said this is out-of-this-world - it really is. Seeing Malmsteen's ability on electric guitar flowing so naturally with an orchestra makes one feel like it's a different world, a fairytale come true, which in some ways it is.
Yngwie's guitar playing fits perfectly into this situation, as does his guitar tone. It's an excellent example of a more sophisticated use of the electric guitar than in the typical rock context, and seems to fit so naturally that, after the novelty wears off, it feels like a wonderfully organic and graceful combination of new and old, and not in the slightest bit out of place.
Yngwie is often criticised for over-playing. In my opinion this is not the case on this DVD, with the exception of a couple of parts - I do not personally like his treatment of Albinoni's "Adagio", which is also strangely sloppy compared to the rest of the DVD. However, I think the problem some people have is that as soon as they see him playing quickly they think he's showing off, hence the "ego trip" comment from the bizarrely negative review some way below.
Face it - he has nothing to prove.
Instead, one should listen to the general feel of his playing and the wonderful textures produced by the flurries of notes - arpeggios cascade like waterfalls, his rapid lines sometimes stand out angry and aggressive and sometimes melt into the background supplying a general tonality to the rest of the orchestra. Playing without feeling? Rubbish.
It should perhaps again be pointed out that this is not a classical performance of rock music - it is an entirely classical score that just happens to feature a solo instrument often used in rock.
One reviewer (the same mentioned previously) complained about the acoustic parts - rubbish in my opinion. I think they are sublime. The guitar tone here is unusual but not unpleasant.
Aside from the Concerto Suite itself, Yngwie starts and finishes with orchestral renditions of some of his better known songs, but these are more intros (or outros) to the main pieces. His performance of "Far Beyond The Sun" is absolutely extraordinary, the orchestra really taking it to a new level entirely.
This is the only music disc I have where I really enjoy every track, and find myself wanting to listen to the entire length quite regularly. At the low price here at the time of writing, this DVD is extremely good value and well worth getting if it piques your interest.
Malmsteen at his best, and an extraordinary DVD.
ALWAYS, criticized, never really looked upon - Rating: 5/5
You really can't appreciate Yngwie until you see the notes in front of you and try to play it. You gain a broader perspective of respect to know that Yngwie kept time with a Philharmonic and vice/versa. This is a good DVD to get a fair taste of what this Swede can do, it is amazing!! What you will see isn't really complicated. But it is hard, fast stuff to play, and very motivating for aspiring musicians interested in guitar.
YJM , Sad sad sad..and plays like a fool! - Rating: 1/5
YJM is dressed like an dandy prat, and plays like his ego is out of control. The acoustic guitar parts are awful, the over picked piezo sound on the Ademas ovation is a good exercise in how not to play an acoustic guitar.
The orchestra tries in vain to keep up with YJM's bad timekeeping, but fails consistantly. The conductor needs to reherese his orchestra more for this type of event.
This guy YJM needs to control his skill, he can be very good but this concert is just big Ego trip for him and it becomes a sad Joke on guitar fans.
Thank goodness this ultra show-off shread metal style guitar is now old fashioned and no longer to be respected.
Don't waste your money on this fiasco!
Get Eric Johnson live from Austin and be amazed by comparison.
Price should reflect the worth of the stuff - Rating: 1/5
One star to the price: 10.99 dollars!? Are music DVDs that cheap in the U.S? Here in Japan the same DVD is priced at about 50 dollars (when $1=100yen) Some customers might be happy about it but I guess it's like what Yngwie used to say: His is a full-course French dinner (at least this album); most others are MacDonnald's. Seems to me like what sounded like just big mouth of his are turning out to be just truth. Many people were appalled and sought for a break when they read him saying in a Guitar Player interview that "I don't consider myself in the same league with people like Bach and Beethoven but ..." I don't think he is but look at what he achieved. I actually saw him do this concerto live in Japan at Sumida Triphony Hall and, truth be told, I was not really blown away at that time, probably because I had become rather tired of his playing the same stuff over and over and had my head filled with that thought so I couldn't really appreciate the value of what he did. But now after several years I bought this DVD and watched the performance, and, oh, I can only say it's just amazing and incredible. He found himself, as someone said, he is at his best, and I can even imagine many guitarists of the future practicing his solos (well, there are already many of them but) AND playing with real orchestras, like the contemporary violinists practicing Paganini or Vivaldi or whatever and performing on stage today. A historic achievement.
Malmsteen with orchestra in Japan - Rating: 4/5
Malmsteen plays electric and acoustic with the solid orchestra for an instrumental show at a nice performance hall in Japan. Lighting for the show does not vary and the camera work is simple (which I like). Extras for the DVD would have been nice, but the show is worth having with or without extras.
