In Monday’s (6/8) USA Today, Elysa Gardner writes that rock musician Pete Townshend has recorded an orchestral version of The Who’s Quadrophenia. “Classic Quadrophenia, out Tuesday, features the Royal Symphony Orchestra and London Oriana Choir, along with tenor Alfie Boe,” in orchestrations by Rachel Fuller. “Townshend and Billy Idol also provide vocals, and will join the others for the work’s live concert premiere, scheduled for July 5 at London’s Royal Albert Hall. It’s not the first time that Townshend has found fresh inspiration in Quadrophenia, which features such Who favorites as Love, Reign O’er Me and 5:15. The group has performed the album in concert, most recently in its 2012-13 tour…. Townshend notes that The Who had an ‘unconventional lineup’ from the start. ‘Keith Moon was not like a normal drummer; he played orchestrally and decoratively. John Entwistle as a bass player was more like a lead guitar player. And on guitar I was actually more like a drummer – I kept the rhythm.’ … Townshend also continues to ponder Quadrophenia’s future.… His hope, in any case, is that ‘this score can be extrapolated’ for other projects, ‘so that people really can play this music forever.’ ”
Posted June 10, 2015
