The Queen Symphony


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'The Queen Symphony'

 

The 'Queen Symphony' is a classical piece, in six movements, taking inspiration from a number of Queen songs. The music is performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, composed and conducted by Tolga Kashif. The world premiere was held at the Royal Festival Hall in London, England, on Wednesday 6th November 2002, attended by Brian May, Roger Taylor, and Freddie's mum, Jer Bulsara.

The symphony was released on CD on 4th November 2002, on DVD on 3rd March 2003, and on vinyl for National Record Store Day on 22 April 2017.

The symphony has also been performed in Groningen, Drachten and Hoogeveen in the Netherlands, in Belgium, the USA, and presumably elsewhere aswell. It was also performed as a 'symphonic wind arrangement' by the Kew Wind Orchestra and the Hampton Choral Society in London in November 2018.



Composed and conducted by Tolga Kashif
Orchestrated by Julian Kershaw
Performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, lead by Rolf Wilson.
The CD also features the London Voices (directed by Terry Edwards) and the London Oratory School Schola (directed by Michael McCarthy)
The DVD also features the Crouch End Festival Chorus and the Finchley Children's Music Group

All movements feature piano by John Lenahan, with Movement III featuring violin by Nicalo Loud and cello by Francois Rive.
CD Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London, in August 2002.

The DVD release is a recording of the world premiere, directed by Gavin Taylor, and has a running time of 136 minutes. It features:

 

The movements and the inspirations are as follows:

Movement I - Adagio Misterioso - Allegro Con Brio - Maestoso - Misterioso - Allegro (10:33)
Radio Ga Ga, The Show Must Go On, One Vision, I Was Born To Love You

Movement II - Allegretto - Allegro Scherzando - Tranquillo (7:31)
Love Of My Life, Another One Bites The Dust, Killer Queen

Movement III - Adagio (7:13)
Who Wants To Live Forever, Save Me

Movement IV - Allegro Vivo - Moderato Cantabile - Cadenza - A Tempo Primo (9:48)
Bicycle Race, Save Me

Movement V - Andante Doloroso - Allegretto - Alla Marcia - Moderato Risoluto - Pastorale - Maestoso (12:54)
Bohemian Rhapsody, We Will Rock You, We Are The Champions, Who Wants To Live Forever
This segues into Movement VI.

Movement VI - Andante Sostenuto (9:07)
We Are The Champions, Bohemian Rhapsody, Who Wants To Live Forever
This segues from Movement V.