Search - New Trolls :: Concerto Grosso

Classical themes, thunderous rock, and a few weak pop tunes.

Jeffrey J.Park | Massachusetts, USA | 01/29/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This CD compilation repackages Concerto Grosso No. 1 (1971) with Concerto Grosso No. 2 (1976). As far as re-releases go, it is not spectacular, but is pretty darn cheap.



CONCERTO GROSSO NO. 1 *****



The incredible Concerto Grosso No. 1 (albeit of poor recording quality) opens with the sound of an orchestra warming up, which tapers off with the sound of an irritated conductor rapping his baton on the stand. The next thing that is heard is a wonderful violin solo, which then launches (unexpectedly I might add) into a thunderous assault of drums, bass, heavily distorted guitar and horribly "overblown" flute (a la Ian Anderson). Ah, but it is pure prog bliss! Concerto Grosso No. 1 was written by Luis Enrique Bacalov and is divided into four movements including:



1. Allegro 2'15" (quick, lively) - this is the section of thunderous drums/bass/guitar mentioned above;



2. Adagio-Shadows 4'50" (slow) - this movement is beautiful, haunting and features some excellent vocalists that sing the line "to die, to sleep, perchance to dream" from Shakespeare's Hamlet (in English). This is one of the more moving moments in progressive rock;



3. Cadenza - Andante con moto 4'10" (a Cadenza is an ornamental passage introduced near the end of a song/solo, while Andante con moto means moving easily, with agitation) - the "agitation" here is provided by an absolutely brilliant and highly virtuosic violin solo. The haunting themes from Movement 2 are reintroduced with some falsetto vocals; and



4. Shadows (Jimmy Hendrix) 5'30" - this section opens with some very stately and "churchy" sounding Hammond organ, themes from Movement 2 are reiterated, which then give way to a roaring section that features wild and ear-splitting Jimi Hendrixian guitar playing and a ripping, Jethro Tull-like flute solo.



The album closes with a 20'30" raucous, bluesy/hard rock jam session entitled Nella sala vuota, improvvisazioni dei New Trolls that features some great Hammond organ work, great vocal sections, and good performances by everybody in the band, although the seven minute drum solo really got on my last nerve.



CONCERTO GROSSO No. 2 ***



While the Concerto Grosso No. 2 itself is excellent, it does not possess the reckless abandon of Concerto Grosso No. 1, although the recording quality is much better and analog synthesizers are used. Unfortunately, the album as a whole is really is not all that great and it is not the Concerto that is the problem - what drags this album down are the remaining tracks, which are simply poorly written/executed pop tunes. Although the last track is proggy, it is again, not very well written.



All in all I would say that this "two-fer" is a pretty good deal, and if you don't mind the weaker material on Concerto Grosso No. 2, should provide a good deal of listening enjoyment. Besides, it is an easy way to get two New Trolls recordings cheaply.

"

Concerto Grosso Numero Due E' Troppo Bello

J. GENIO | Earth | 06/23/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the New Trolls Concerto Grosso Numero Due. I know -- for those of you with the LP (like me), you were probably looking for the familiar cover featuring animated muscians playing chamber music. Fortunately, I discovered this CD quite by accident. That is a long story, and need not be told here. Suffice it to say, this CD is outstanding and a must for any progressive rock fan.If ever there was an LP that cried out for a technology to enhance its sound quality, it is definitely this LP. The collection of music assembled on this CD must be played in its entirety to be fully appreciated. The laser technology allows the listener to hear the diverse musicianship of the orchestrated music. The listener will be treated to a blend of baroque chamber / string quartet music mixed with progressive pop / rock music. The blend of music created on this CD is nothing less than God send. The New Trolls do sing in English. Their collective choir-like voices, however, are limited; but extremely effective. And, considering the type of "classical music" presented here, actually works quite well. I strongly recommend this CD -- especially if you like such artists as Dead Can Dance and Emerson, Lake, and Palmer. Believe me, you won't be diasspointed. As a matter of fact, once you listen to this CD in its entirety, you'll be hooked on it. You will wind up playing it until it is worn (just like I did with the LP). Great sounds at a reasonable price. . . Where can you go wrong?Il New Trolls e' magnifico. Comprate il CD! E' troppo buon e molto bello."

Two Great Recordings on One CD

Chris & Bethann Hargrove | HALTOM CITY, TEXAS United States | 04/11/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A very early Italian progressive recording is represented by "Concerto Grosso No. 1", which occupies the first half of this CD. Excellent, crisp recording with heavy classical overtones sounds as fresh today as it must have then. Worth the price of the disc by itself. "Concerto Grosso No. 2", from a few years later, is great, also. Boy, there are parts of it that really remind me of elements of "Tormato" by Yes, so if you like that album you will probably like this. Vocals in both Italian and English."