Uli Jon Roth & Therion

Rider of Theli

The Hellequin
Mar 1, 2004
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Hiram, Ga
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taken from the official Therion website:

Ex Scorpions and Electric Sky member Uli Jon Roth, currently developing his own projects with the Sky Orchestra, confirmed his participation as Special Guest Artist in the international cast “Ars musicae, ars medicinae – music against cancer” project (Dec 9th)

Acknowledged as neo-classical metal pioneer, author of astonishing and innovative Sky of Avalon and Metamorphosis albums, the legend guitarist and composer will give a lecture on the fusion between classical and rock music at Bucharest. The link between music and medicine will also be approached during this seminar, including discussions and answering questions from the audience by Uli Jon Roth and Christofer Johnsson. Classical and rock/metal musicians, music students, press and fans are invited. The seminar takes place on December 8th, at the Auditorium Hall / National Museum of Arts, Bucharest. More info available starting 23.11 on Concert Therion la Bucuresti

Uli Jon Roth needs no further introduction. World-wide famous since his huge success with the German band Scorpions in the ‘70s, with whom he recorded 5 albums (including Tokio Tapes, one million copies sold). A true legend, exceptionally gifted guitarist and multi-instrumentist, Uli writes his own compositions and arranges his own album, resurrecting classical music into nowadays. Uli has been increasingly recognized as a master of the art of composition and as an inventor of new musical forms and structures. From the beginning he was a visionary and innovator - and his journey of artistic expression and musical explorations has reached a new plateau with “Metamorphosis Of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons” – 2003. He is meantime film director, painter in realist style, writes poetry and philosophical treaties. He invented his own instrument, the unique 6 octaves Sky guitar.

In acknowledgement to his remarkable artistic achievements, Uli was officially introduced in the Walk of Fame of the only Rock & Pop museum in Europe (Gronau, Germany) in September 2003.

Uli Jon Roth feels that:

  • ... nowadays classical music is usually being presented to the audience in a way which almost inevitably alienates the public by not making any serious efforts to tune into the spirit of the time and age we live in
    [*]... within the last decade the world of classical music has experienced cataclysmic and, in some respects, devastating changes. Among other things, this is reflected by ever-diminishing CD sales in this field which by now have shrunken to virtual insignificance, and the market for this kind of music has almost approached a point of total collapse when compared to that of twenty years ago. This in turn makes it a lot harder for all concerned to devote enough financial resources to projects, performances or recordings involving classical music, which means there seems little future..? Music simply isn’t the culturally important force any longer that it once was in the public’s mind... Instead, Music has been sidelined and completely overtaken by computer games and other forms of entertainment?? It is a sad fact that our combined Western societies increasingly resemble a cultural wasteland. And this despite the fact that it has never been easier to have free access for the man in the street to what maybe the richest artistic heritage this world has ever produced? The point is, however, that art has ceased to play a pivotal role in society and has been eclipsed or replaced by glittering emptiness.

Uli Jon Roth feels strongly about these issues and feels he can provide at least some of the answers. He also believes that particularly his interaction with Sky Orchestra is able to prove that there is a way - or there are ways forward.
 
I've always thought that if Beethoven, Mozart, Tchaikovski and most classical musicians/composers were alive in our time, they would be brutal metal acts. Those guys would be the talk of metal forums such as this.

Rider of Theli said:
Uli Jon Roth feels that:

* ... nowadays classical music is usually being presented to the audience in a way which almost inevitably alienates the public by not making any serious efforts to tune into the spirit of the time and age we live in.

I have to agree.
 
Uli Jon Roth feels that:

  • ... nowadays classical music is usually being presented to the audience in a way which almost inevitably alienates the public by not making any serious efforts to tune into the spirit of the time and age we live in.


  • Interesting. Overall, I agree, but there *are* a few bright spots.

    I think that Trans-Siberian Orchestra has made some great inroads in terms of bringing classical music to the masses. I grew up playing piano, so I consider myself pretty well versed in the classics. Even so, I’ve still added a couple of classical CDs to my collection so I could hear the original inspiration for some of TSO’s material -- particularly “Carmina Burana” and “Beethoven”. (For folks who have seen the live show, “Beethoven” is the song where they *really* start getting serious with the special effects). As an added bonus, TSO has been successful in getting fans of the classics to develop an appreciation for rock music. My 71-year-old uncle, who has a PhD in Music, is now a huge TSO fan. :)

    Van Helsing’s Curse also does a great job with their modern arrangements of the classics. Given Mark Wood’s involvement with the “Electrify Your Strings” program, I think it would be awesome if they took the VHC show into schools to help foster appreciation for the classics. (Although the same parents that complain about Harry Potter books being stocked in the library would probably REALLY have a field day with this…)

    Finally, as an example of rock music getting the “classical” treatment , I just heard that the Phoenix Symphony has a performance in January featuring the music of Led Zeppelin. I’ll definitely have to look into tickets for that one!