yngwie malmsteen concerto suite for electric guitar and orchestra in e flat minor op.1 mettalum

The music outside of the concerto suite that was rearranged for this performance is also quite a treat and is the principle advantage to owning this performance in addition to the original CD recording, other than Yngwie’s animated stage presence, which is a bit subdued compared to his regular concerts. “Prelude for April” and “Sarabande” showcases Yngwie’s ability to create a simple melody on the acoustic guitar and still tear it up when called for. “Cavallino Ramparte” and “Fugue” also shine due to catchy melodic material, the former containing a galloping rhythmic build reminiscent of a cavalry charge, the latter containing the usual melodic interplay found in the Fugue format. The opening movement of the suite “Icarus Dream Fanfare” contains the unforgettable melody line from the work found on the Rising Force debut carrying the same name, and is performed flawlessly. Out of the music found on this performance, some particular movements shine more than others due to strong melodic material. One not educated in the history of pre-20th century music is sure to deduce that the resulting string of instrumental movements are nothing more than Yngwie shredding up a storm with an orchestra merely accompanying him, but one who samples the longer works by the various composers that influenced Malmsteen (particularly Paganini) wrote things for their respective instruments of choice in a similar fashion.

Yngwie Malmsteen’s masterwork is essentially a hybrid work containing a song collection resembling the original dance suite structure used by Baroque and Classical composers for solo instruments, but also containing the instrumentation and melodic dialogues common to the concerto form of the High Classical and Romantic eras. For the genre of heavy metal, the concept of marrying the electric guitar with orchestral sounds is not unheard of, but a single metal impresario taking the helm in the stead of a first violinist is something quite unique. For the musician and composer, this would suggest a sort of magnum opus, usually taking the form of a massive orchestral score clocking in at as long as an hour or more in length.

In the course of every artist’s career there is a particular time where he/she must truly test their own will to create.

Yngwie malmsteen concerto suite for electric guitar and orchestra in e flat minor op.1 mettalum