Pete Townshend recently attended a studio session with the London Oriana Choir at Air Studios in London, where work is underway to record an orchestral version of Quadrophenia slated to be released some time in 2015. The orchestration work was done by Pete’s partner Rachel Fuller, with assistance by Oriana's Martin Batchelar. The choirs website reported that “Pete himself was there to provide artistic guidance and we're happy to say he enjoyed our performance: he seemed very pleased with how we sounded and excited to see it all come together.”
Official details of the project and possible album launch concert will be announced in December.
Photo: London Oriana Choir Facebook page
This project has been in the pipeline for quite a while. On June 11, 2012, Pete Townshend performed Quadrophenia and Love Reign O’er Me with Jeff Beck and the BBC Concert Orchestra at the BBC’s “London on Film” event at the Queen Elizabeth Hall.
Pete Townshend talked about this project in his blog on August 21, 2012:
Around me, there are some wonderful things happening. My partner Rachel Fuller is deeply into orchestrating Quadrophenia for large orchestra and choir. The test we did on BBC Radio with Jeff Beck playing ‘Love Reign O’er Me’ was really promising. This is something I’ve wanted for years, and one of the reasons we got together fifteen years ago. Yesterday we met with Hans Zimmer who has graciously commissioned one of his inside team to work with Rachel at his London studio. So before the expensive recording sessions, we will be able to hear top-notch computer demos, and rehearse intensely with the singers we like best. This will probably premiere at some charity event in the future, then tour as part of a touring orchestra subscription programme. Symphony orchestras are keen to bring in new repertoire that will widen their audience.
