Deep Purple - With Orchestra: Live at Montreux 2011

Deep Purple - With Orchestra: Live at Montreux 2011 is an exhilarating concert film that captures the legendary British rock band, Deep Purple, performing at the renowned Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. It's an impressive showcase of the band's undying prowess, presented in a new and refreshing format.

The film captures the band engaging with a 38-piece orchestra, bringing an additional layer of symphonic grandeur to their anthemic rock sound. Our favorite Deep Purple hits come alive in a unique manner; the band’s classics are not merely enhanced by the symphony orchestra but are transformed, showing us a completely different side of these rock anthems usually associated with power and grit. This live concert film encompasses the atmosphere of the 45th edition of Montreux festival, complete with views of Lake Geneva and glimpses of the thrilled crowd.

Deep Purple's performance at this concert is something to write home about, with all the members dazzling the audience with their talents. Vocalist Ian Gillan is in fine form, belting out lyrics with power and precision, while guitarist Steve Morse and keyboardist Don Airey deliver spellbinding solos that reaffirm why Deep Purple is regarded as one of the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock. Roger Glover on bass and Ian Paice on drums form a solid rhythm section, providing a rock-steady foundation for the band's sprawling musical explorations.

One striking aspect of Deep Purple - With Orchestra: Live at Montreux 2011 is the remarkable teamwork between the band and the orchestra. The orchestra does not simply provide a symphonic background for the band's established hits. Instead, they actively participate, intertwining their melodies and harmonies with the band's music, resulting in a truly collaborative performance. The band and orchestra's musicianship, the combination of rock and classical instruments and the exceptional arrangements by Stephen Bentley-Klein make this film truly unique.

Not only does this film provide an auditory spectacle, but it is also visually stunning. The filmmakers have masterfully captured the electric atmosphere of the Montreux Jazz Festival. The cinematography covers all angles, offering close-ups of the artists in action, full-stage views that show the impressive layout of the band alongside the orchestra, and crowd shots that reveal an audience alternately in rapture, singing along, and entirely mesmerized by the performance they're witnessing.

A significant highlight of the film is the band's performance of their classic hits, such as "Highway Star", "Smoke on the Water", and "Black Night". The orchestra accompaniment takes these iconic rock anthems to a higher level. Conversely, the orchestra also provides stirring accompaniment to the lower-key moments of the show, complementing Deep Purple's musicianship and showing what can be achieved when rock and classical music fuse together.

Deep Purple - With Orchestra: Live at Montreux 2011 immortalizes a landmark performance in the band's illustrious career. For those who have faithfully followed Deep Purple's journey over the decades, this film is an essential viewing. For newcomers, it offers an accessible introduction to the band's music and its enduring influence on the rock genre. For everyone else, it stands as a testament to the magic that can occur when boundary-pushing musicians venture beyond conventions and blend different musical traditions together.

This concert film is more than just a great performance captured on tape. It's an exploration of musical possibilities. It's about challenging the status quo, about playing your heart out, and most importantly, it's about creating an unforgettable experience for those watching. It's definitely not your typical run-of-the-mill live concert video. This is Deep Purple at their finest, enhanced by the power of an orchestra, commanding the stage of the world's most famous jazz festival. Watch this movie, and witness musical legends create history.