Seven – A Suite for Orchestra. Naxos 8.557466
- Primary Artist, Piano: Tony Banks
- Conductor: Michael Dixon
- Performing Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra
Famous for his role as keyboard player in the progressive rock band Genesis, Tony Banks has always been fascinated by the idea of writing orchestral music.
Five of the seven pieces in this orchestral suite were written specifically for the Seven project; the remaining two were older pieces. Throughout the seven movements Banks creates intense orchestral sound pictures. The calm serenity which characterises the main themes of the separate movements is often contrasted with uncomfortable stormy turbulence, the overall result being a scenic overview of orchestral colours and timbres.
Seven – A Suite for Orchestra Reviews
“There's absolutely no reason why pop music writers should not attempt to compose large-scale orchestral works, and I applaud Tony Banks for making the effort…The performance as such sounds perfectly fine and is very well recorded; the London Philharmonic does a thoroughly creditable job under Mike Dixon. I don't think Naxos was wrong to go for this project; Banks has a following and his fans may enjoy it.” David Hurwitz – ClassicsToday.com
“Banks has a genuine melodic gift… The LPO under Mike Dixon play sympathetically and often ardently, and the woodwind relish Simon HaleÝs many piquant touches of colour.” Ivan Marsh – Gramophone