Classical Meets Contemporary: Genre-Blending Concerts

This concept of classical-contemporary crossovers has been brewing for quite some time. Orchestral-rock pioneers The Moody Blues set a new standard for genre-blending back in 1967 with their hit album “Days of Future Passed” and its legendary orchestral pop single “Nights in White Satin.”

That same year, The Beatles released “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” with George Martin pouring multitudinal classical influences over the band’s pop-rock base. Then, in ‘69. Deep Purple joined the bandwagon, collaborating with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra on their groundbreaking album, “Concerto for Group and Orchestra.” 

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of their seminal “Black Sunday” album, hip hop pioneers Cypress Hill teamed up with the London Symphony Orchestra for a rare concert titled, “Black Sunday: Live at the Royal Albert Hall.” Accompanied by a 70-piece orchestra, Cypress Hill reimagined their greatest hits within a striking new context, staying true to their cut-throat grooves whilst imaginatively recasting their electronic oddities across an expanse of classical instrumentalists. Hip hop has always patchworked ideas and influences at pro levels, but has rarely sounded as enigmatic as this.

Groundbreaking composer Hans Zimmer broke all moulds during his hugely successful European concert tour, taking his most magnificent film scores across the continent, backed by a band, orchestra and choir, totalling 72 live musicians in all. His “Live In Prague” concert, featuring special guest guitarist Johnny Marr, epitomises the power of classical music within our current age, the legend actively resurrecting the genre’s profound emotional impact in practically every score he writes, whilst unleashing their staggering effect on film fans around the globe through this mind-blowing concert film.

Prolific crossover artist, DJ and filmmaker Hardwell offered fans a two-hour long musical journey during his one-time concert, “Symphony - The Global Revolution of Dance,” now streaming here at On Air. Covering over four decades of music with the help of the world-famous pop and jazz orchestra Metropole Orkest, Hardwell reinvents dance anthems beneath the orchestra’s fantastic light, transforming nostalgic club hits into striking new creations with an exciting classical-meets-contemporary twist.

Classical music will always be steeped in profound, emotional impact. It’s the reason revered maestros like Mozart, Beethoven and Chopin continue to reel in young listeners today.

But, when such classical themes blend into the biggest rock, pop and hip-hop hits of our own age, the result is unimaginably epic. It marks a fusion of culture: artists destigmatising and giving new relevance to old-school sounds through contemporary twists, re-routing classical’s emotional power to brand new soundscapes where its impact becomes absolutely unmistakable.

Don’t forget to check out our hybrid catalogue of top-tier ‘classical meets contemporary’ performances, featuring a selection of concert films ready to shake up your perspective on orchestral music.