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Funk Meets Orchestra: P-Funk Goes Classical
30 Jan
Summary
- Parliament-Funkadelic's hits will be performed by a symphony orchestra.
- Arranger Ray Chew believes this is the first orchestral P-Funk performance.
- George Clinton, 84, always anticipated P-Funk would reach classical status.
Parliament-Funkadelic (P-Funk) is embarking on a groundbreaking orchestral journey, with their renowned hits set to be performed by a symphony at the Detroit Opera. This innovative concert, titled "Symphonic PFunk: Celebrating the Music of Parliament Funkadelic," will feature instruments like violins, cellos, and horns, reinterpreting classics such as "Flash Light" and "One Nation Under a Groove."
Arranger and conductor Ray Chew, a devoted fan, believes this performance marks a historic first for the iconic funk group. He highlighted the intricate arrangements designed to translate P-Funk's energetic music to an orchestral setting. George Clinton, the 84-year-old founder, shared that he always envisioned P-Funk evolving into classical music, stating, "We knew we were going to be doing this one day."
Experts like Professor Rickey Vincent emphasize the complex musicianship within funk, noting that P-Funk's arrangements often incorporated sophisticated elements. Motown arranger Paul Riser agrees, stressing the importance of enhancing rather than altering the original music. The fusion highlights funk's experimental nature, previously seen in P-Funk's incorporation of diverse instruments.
