Pete Townshend has announced a symphonic reimagining of the Who’s Quadrophenia, orchestrated by his partner, Rachel Fuller. Classic Quadrophenia will be released by the esteemed classical label Deutsche Grammophon in June 2015.
In a statement, Townshend said he hoped this version of Quadrophenia would help “reinvigorate” classical audiences, “[bringing] people who might not otherwise go to see a symphony orchestra perform without lights and fireworks and a movie screen”.
Townshend himself plays electric guitar on the record, which was recorded in October at London’s Air Studios. But Roger Daltrey is absent; almost all the vocals will be provided by platinum-selling English tenor Alfie Boe. “[Quadrophenia] is in my blood,” Boe said. “I wouldn’t separate [this music] from a symphony by Beethoven or Mozart.” Townshend claimed the 41-year-old singer reminds him of Daltrey. “[Alfie] gives every performance his all ... He’s a funny man too, and good looking. The girls like him. I can’t wait to be on stage with him. I’m going to push him into the orchestra pit.”
Boe and Townshend recorded Classic Quadrophenia with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the London Oriana Choir, conducted by Robert Ziegler. All of these players will reunite for the orchestral arrangement’s world premiere: 5 July 2015, at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Tickets are on sale on 5 December.
Quadrophenia was first released in 1973 - the year Boe was born - and later transformed into a feature film. The Who have revisited the LP in recent years, touring it around the world, and there was even talk of a movie sequel. Townshend, 69, allegedly hopes to “leave a legacy” by overseeing orchestral arrangements for all of his work.
For those who prefer their Who electric, the band are currently on tour. These dates form part of the band’s 50th anniversary, which kicked off at O2 Shepherds Bush Empire on 11 November. While Townshend skipped that event, Daltrey appeared with friends including Liam Gallagher, Geddy Lee, Wilko Johnson, Ricky Wilson and Rich Hall, revisiting some of their catalogue favourites.
Daltrey also recently appeared on stage in Bishopton, near Glasgow, crashing a marriage party at his hotel. After offering the newlyweds his heartfelt wishes, he sang I Can’t Explain with help from their wedding band.
