KASHIF The Genesis Suite
Lightsong Media LMGRCD1
Eight years ago, Tolga Kashif hit the headlines with his Queen Symphony (EMI) – an orchestral epic built around songs by the eponymous rock band. Now comes The Genesis Suite, a 73-minute traversal through the music of a group noted for touching on hardly less wide a range of stylistic bases.
The first movement combines ‘Land of Confusion’ with ‘Tonight, Tonight, Tonight’ (both taken from 1986’s Invisible Touch) in a steadily building curve of intensity, with London Voices adding an ominous overlay redolent of Carl Orff. The second movement focuses on ‘Ripples’ (from 1976’s A Trick of the Tail), whose sensuous realization is enhanced by stylish passage-work from pianist Freddy Kempf, though the third movement transforms ‘Mad Mad Moon’ (from the same album) into a ‘Concertante for Violin and Orchestra’ that even the London Symphony Orchestra’s leader Tomo Keller cannot quite sustain over its languorous 17 minutes.
Much more cohesive is the fourth movement, which utilizes ‘Follow You Follow Me’ (from 1978’s And Then There Were Three) in a deft intermezzo that features a plaintive contribution from cellist Caroline Dale, while its successor diffuses ‘Fading Lights’ (from 1991’s We Can’t Dance) across what is undoubtedly the most imaginative reworking to be heard here. The sixth movement then finds Kempf allotted a ruminative solo paraphrase on ‘Entangled’ (from A Trick of the Tail), before the finale sees the return of London Voices for a heady conflation of ‘Undertow’ (from And Then There Were Three) and ‘Blood on the Rooftops’ (from 1977’s Wind and Wuthering) that amasses a fair momentum before ending in expansive repose.
Ultimately, the transformation that Kashif has worked on this material is less effective than that for Queen – Genesis’ music being more developed, and thus more ‘complete’ in terms of scoring, from the outset, leaving any subsequent arranger with less formal and expressive room to manoeuvre. That said, the playing of the London Symphony Orchestra (whose involvement with ‘Classic Rock’ goes back to the origins of the genre in the late 1960s) is in the luxury class, as is the recorded sound for this first release on Kashif’s own Lightsong Media Group label. Anyone who is interested in the coming together of ‘prog’ and ‘classical’ will find The Genesis Suite rarely less than enjoyable.
Posted Nov 09, 2010 at 1:40 pm by Alex Cota
This is really good news and I really wish we can all hear more orchestrated Genesis music , with orchestra. We want more of the Old stuff from the early years of the past. Ironically also just yesterday I heard some music by “The Nice” featuring the great Kieth Emerson and a backing orchestra. Need more classic Genesis with orchestra , I would really like that now!!! Cheers.
And Thank-you . Alex .
Posted Nov 10, 2010 at 6:50 pm by Dave, UK
I’m looking forward to hearing this, although I’m more than a little surprised that the “classic era” Genesis has been overlooked, as I feel this (along with the immediate couple of years after) period lends itself best to a classical interpretation. Take “Apocalypse in 9/8″ or “Watcher Of The Skies” as a couple of examples – surely these would give Gustav Holst a run for his money! Still, I can’t wait to hear it.
Posted Nov 10, 2010 at 8:08 pm by robert follen
am a little confused by the link to this, from the official genesis site, as it mentioned the premiere was a “star studded night at the barbican”. well i was there and so was steve hackett but no mike rutherford or tony banks(as announced in the “romford reader” ) or anyone else! attempted to get some pieces signed by the guys for a charity auction, the items were personally given to the event organiser with intentions made clear, but the rare items went missing! not very charitable! disappointing, marred the evening somewhat!
Posted Nov 14, 2010 at 4:06 am by David
I agree entirely with the message from ‘Dave’. Watcher of the Skies and Apocalypse are so open to interpretation by an orchestra. Why, oh why are they overlooked here? I appreciate there is a hufe catalogue to choose from and the choices are very subjective but early Genesis is so orchestral in texture and would work beautifully if scored.
Maybe there could be a Classical Genesis Suite 2
Many thanks anyway and I look forward to hearing the album
Posted Nov 21, 2010 at 4:16 pm by Alex Cota
As I ride my very old fashion bicycle for hours and hours through the countryside my thoughts take me on a journey to the past. Memories of the early years and days gone by when Classic Prog-Art Rock bands like E.L.P. and Genesis put out remarkable music that seemed to come from the very heart and soul. Well, apparently now you will be able to hear the music of Genesis in a different way including orchestra. Excellent choice for the mature audience. And already I cant resist it. This is more than a treat , for this is the passion of a lifetime my friends.
Worth every penny and more. And you better belive it. You better belive that I will be riding my bike with headphones on at full volume. CHEERS!!! ALEX
Posted Nov 27, 2010 at 7:03 pm by Anne
I’m now 56 and have loved Genesis since the day I first heard them – way back in the times of Genesis to Revelation when I was at school. I will be interested to hear this too. Just hearing a few notes from their enchanting melodies brings a warm glow inside for me and happy memories of days gone by and seeing old clips from their concerts of the “classic” songs is as exciting now as it was then. It’s a real shame though that their incredibly outstanding early music is not represented as I agree that these were by far the best to be orchestrated in full. There definitely has to be a follow-up which will include all the early works.
Posted Dec 03, 2010 at 8:44 pm by James "Jimmer" Mackinnon
Good comments here so far!
Being 53 and having been lucky enough to have seen Genesis in concert 4 times (Including the most recent world stadium tour!) and Phil Collins 3X, I really LOVE this music! I have a symphonic “Yes” (whom I’ve seen live 24X and solo tours 5 times) CD, and it’s very cool to listen to. I once saw them WITH a symphony orchestra, and I’ve loved orchestral music even more, ever since.
I am excited this has come about with Genesis music and it’s a right fit I expect! I can’t wait to hear this!
Posted Dec 29, 2010 at 2:08 pm by Alex Cota
Any release like this one is a major breakthrough and a “PLUS” for those fans who are mature and ready to enjoy some music featuring orchestra. This type of music , urgently needs to be played by orchestra and without vocals. This way you can hear the music of Genesis in a fresh new way. Way better. In fact , I truly belive that a band like Genesis can move forward and progress in a better way , easier without vocals. With music slightly re-arranged by a strictly INSTRUMENTAL- ORCHESTRA. THIS NEW MUSICAL DEVELOPMENT IS SO EXCELLENT AND MANY PEOPLE REALLY WANT TO HEAR THE ORCHESTRA. TONIGHT , I SHALL DRINK A TOAST……..TO A MARVELLOUS ORCHESTRA . CHEERS!!!
Posted Feb 12, 2011 at 12:30 pm by nick petros
I have every genesis album that has been released,I love the music they did. From the peter gabriel,to phil collins days its all good. I have not heard the orchestra version of the music,but I have heard the symphonic Yes album, and the synphonic Pink floyd album,both to my suprise i enjoyed. So I imagine that I would absolutley love the the genesis suite. by the way the symphonic Yes album was produced by Alan parsons. just a bit of trivia for everyone. thanks
Posted Feb 22, 2011 at 11:37 am by Dan
I just heard about the Genesis Suite and i have to say i tend to agree with the two Davids on the absence of Watcher in the Skies. However, the omission of Cinema Show greatly surprised me as the textural contribution an orchestra could make to the instrumental section of that particular track would be an interesting prospect indeed. Perhaps a follow up featuring Cinema Show, as well as, Supper’s Ready, Musical Box and, the Knife would interest Mr.Kashif. It would certainly interest me although i should point out in fairness that the snippets i have already heard from the Genesis suite are excellent and i can’t wait to hear the rest. I am still a bit surprised that Kashif has not dipped in the ocean of 1969-1975 Genesis, but i suppose you could say there is of course more earth than sea.
Posted Mar 02, 2011 at 12:08 am by L-O Ström
Since they don’t chose to work with the bands serious material this is completely pointless and boring. Someone ought to have the guts to really make some serious classical art out of the bands true treasures, otherwise it completely meaningless and rather embarrassing to the whole concept.
Posted Mar 21, 2011 at 12:08 pm by PEDRO AZEVEDO
COMO MUSICO SEMPRE ACHEI QUE O GENESIS FAZIA MUSICA BARROCA CONTEPORANEA, PRINCIPALMENTE NO PERIODO GABRIEL HAVIA UMA SOMATIZAÇÃO DE LUZES, FRASES MUSICAIS DIGNAS DE SEREM SXECUTADAS EM SALA DE CONCERTO DE FORMA OPERISTICA OU CAMERISTICA, QUE BOM QUE HÃO PERSONAGENS QUE PENSAM E SENTEM DA MESMA FORMA, QUE VENHAM AS SUITES 2,3…
Posted Mar 26, 2011 at 3:03 pm by Alex Cota
I would like to hear this orchestra playing any selection of Genesis tracks , in fact , even better , I would really love to hear this orchestra playing Genesis music featuring a guest like Bill Bruford on percussion. NOW THAT WOULD BE TRULY AWESOME!!!……………CHEERS.
Posted Apr 08, 2011 at 7:10 pm by Dave Andrews
The Cinema Show ….. ( “nuff said…)
I really wanted to like this effort. While I enjoyed parts of it, I was disappointed by areas of the pieces that ventured so far away from any resemblance to the original piece as to make it distractingly unrecognizable.. ( Mad Man Moon) . I love differing interpretations of my favorite music, but at times The Genesis Suite seems to me to be bits and pieces of the composers own material stuck together with bits and pieces of Genesis tunes.
That said, I’ll hope for Genesuite II, perhaps with a rendition of The Cinema Show ….
Posted Apr 14, 2011 at 11:18 am by Osvaldo Manso
I am very disappointed by the fact that not a single work by the classic Genesis line-up (Banks-Collins-Gabriel-Hackett-Rutherford) from their best period (1971-1974) is included in this album.
I also think that the album sleeve is deceptive because it portrays the “nurse playing cricket” from the 1971 «Nursery Cryme» album. I was expecting a rendition of a song from that particular album.