Yes - Close To The Edge with classical orchestra (Symphonic Music of Yes)

Progressive rock and classical music have always been close to each others. Now they combine! This breathtaking version of CTTE is from the fascinating Symphonic Music of Yes (1993) album. The album took many classic Yessongs to a whole new level when they were played by a full classical orchestra along with some Yes members. I do recommend purchasing the album to Yes fans although it might be somewhat hard to find nowadays.

The cover art for the album, called Darklands, is by no else but by the very own court artist of Yes, Roger Dean.

The CTTE cover is my favourite song from the album although the album featured many other cool versions of other songs. I can feel the power of this song down in my spine but they should have made it a little longer. Anyway, grade A music, Enjoy!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Yes
• symphonic
• music
• of
• yes
• classical
• cover
• rendition
• steve
• howe
• bill
• chris
• squire
• bruford
• London
• Philharmonic
• Orchestra
• prog
• progressive
• rock

[merloon]

I love orchestral music. I REALLY love Close to the Edge.

I hated this.

Not sure why; maybe it was the arrangement, but I felt like I was in an elevator for seven minutes. I needed a shower to get the muzak off me. Gut reaction: I'd love to hear John Williams take a shot at arranging and conducting CTTE for orchestra. Has to be better than this torturefest.

[tuktuktok]

I like this version very much but can in a way understand what you mean. The mixing and perhaps the whole arrangement could have been better. They should have had a little more balls. Like you said, more Williams style, that is more Yes. Also, the song is also insultingly short.

[nignog87]

Close to the Edge, (as Recorded by Yes) is simply one of the Greatest pieces of Music ever Recorded.

[1Vurgas1]

wow must have this

[RenassainceLizard]

this fusion is for people that liked the album Magnification, because it sounds a little bit like it. I liked the Magnification, i think this variant of the song sounds a little bit less Prog and much more movie soundtrack. It's the point of view, and what were you looking for that changes the whole song :)

[markdemey]

Yes OK. Classical music OK. But this fusion: no. Never use regular rock drums in a classical piece!

[mikebaal]

Fuck yeah! Even more pompous than regular Yes! :-)

[InterstellarJoe]

It's the timing that destroys the experience.

[58icarus]

@merloon I see what you mean. Most of the orchestra is devoted to merely portraying the lyrical notes, rather than enhancing them. For example, at around 1:10 when they move into the words for The Solid Time of Change, the strings could hold the lyrics, while woodwinds and/or brass double-time in a higher range over top. Or something. It justs feels flat for such an ambitious original as this was back in '72.

[santiagodebellavista]

very similar to the original, when the idea of these things is to re-arrange them. anyway, i always had this version and i enjoy it (differently) but i do

[anafloyd]

FANTASTIC! Loved it!

[22lzm22]

de putamrrrrrrrrrrrr

[balluduku]

Mmmm, soup...

[enoesque]

The best thing about this is Bruford's drumming. If you're a fan of his drumming in Yes, it's quite a treat.  Beyond that, meh..