JON LORD's 'Concerto For Group And Orchestra' To Premiere In Scotland

Stevenson College, in a major collaboration with The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, The City of Edinburgh Music School and the Edinburgh Schools Symphony Orchestra, will presents Jon Lord's Concerto for Group and Orchestra on Monday, October 5, 2009 in The Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Ken Thomson, Head of Music and Drama at SCE, has put a Scottish music education marker on the international map by persuading Jon Lord, founder member of DEEP PURPLE, to include this Edinburgh performance in his world wide itinerary.

"This unique collaborative event will feature the virtuosic skills of Stevenson College's finest rock band and the talents of a 100-piece symphony orchestra," says Ken Thomson. The orchestra comprises musicians from The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, The City of Edinburgh Music School and the Edinburgh Schools Symphony Orchestra. Jon visited Stevenson College Edinburgh in February to rehearse the rock band and begin the preparation for this very special event.

"This concert is intended to reveal the exceptional talents of students studying music from school to conservatoire level in Scotland," says Ken Thomson. "It will be a high profile event and an important date in the Scottish music diary."

Grant Kilpatrick, lead guitarist in the SCE rock band, says, "I couldn't believe my eyes when Jon Lord walked into the college. It is a great privilege to perform with him especially in this piece. We all know 'Smoke on The Water' but this is something else!"

The first half of the program will comprise of SCE and RSAMD's jazz band (directed by Ken Thomson),followed by a combined traditional folk music ensemble (directed by Phil Cunningham). Jon Lord will be performing part of the folk session with Phil.

The second half of the programme will feature Jon Lord's Concerto for Group and Orchestra followed by an orchestrated version of his rock anthem "Child in Time" (1969). Jon Lord will play the Hammond organ, with the rock band.

Jon Lord (composer and founder member of DEEP PURPLE) wrote this piece in 1969. The concerto, a fusion of classical and rock styles, was first performed later that year in the Albert Hall, with Malcolm Arnold conducting, featuring DEEP PURPLE and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. It has since been performed regularly throughout the world to great acclaim.

"I am very pleased to be involved with this exciting project," says Jon Lord.
"I have a strong interest in music education and I am delighted to be invited, as composer and performer, to be part of this very significant event. My Concerto for Group and Orchestra has been performed extensively throughout the world. This will be a Scottish premier for the piece. It will not only expose my classical work to the Scottish concert going public but also, and very importantly, provide a platform to expose the talent of Scotland's finest aspiring musicians."