Classical music in rock and metal music

Hi, we meet today to talk about the influence of classical music in rock and metal!

Rock, metal and classical music, some might say there is a world between these genres. But is that the case?

In this post, we will see the place that classical music has in rock and metal. And spoiler: it is more present than you think!

So, let’s prepare scores, revive Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Wagner, Vivaldi, etc. and discover together what is happening!

DISCLAIMER: This post is based on some of my knowledge and is backed up and supplemented by research done before its writing. You can find the sources at the bottom of the page.

Note n°1 : I will categorize in this post the genres in two categories: rock and metal/ classical. Note n°2 : Here, I will speak of classical music in a familiar way to describe what is called the ensemble of western scholarly music. This implies the baroque period, romanticism, etc.

PS: this post (which I find very interesting personally) is a little longer than usual. So get comfy and enjoy your reading!

THE LINK(S) BETWEEN CLASSICAL MUSIC, ROCK AND METAL

If I tell you that there is more than one link between classical music, rock and metal; what is your reaction?

If you have been reading this blog for a long time, you will tell me that it does not surprise you. But if you have just discovered me, then know that I am not crazy… well it remains to be proven, but it is a completely different subject 😜

The links between rock/metal and classical music include:

The power and tension of music 

For me, there are only two categories where you can feel the music deep in your guts and with which you can imagine yourself going on an epic ride: classical music and rock/metal.

Virtuosity

And this in every sense of the word.

Musicians

It started with the guitarists who were inspired by classical works for their songs. The first to do so was Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple, Rainbow and others). Subsequently, other big names followed, such as Angus Young (AC/DC) who uses classical music as inspiration for his solos or Yngwie Malmsteen who is considered the inventor of neo-classical metal.

But also a virtuosity of all other instruments. As Florent Duployer (drummer in Kakothanasy and Anachronism) said, metal materials quickly abandoned the traditional verse-chorus form. Songs have a freer form. They are often composed of blocks that overlap with each other. This way requires a very good technique from each musician.

Singers

Although the two singing styles are totally different, it can be said that in both cases:

• The voice is powerful and dramatic.

• It takes a lot of work and training for both techniques. I talk a little more here!

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Also, for the anecdote, some classical music tunes are used for the entrance on stage of rock and metal bands. Strauss’ Thus Spoke Zarathustra has been exploited on numerous occasions by artists such as Dream Theater, Green Day or Elvis Presley.

Moreover, for some time now, we can see (and listen) that some metal artists use a classic influence title in intro of their albums!

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SINCE WHEN IS THE LINK BETWEEN CLASSICAL MUSIC AND ROCK/METAL PRESENT?

It is from the late 1960s that we can see the link. Precisely, with Ritchie Blackmore and those who will follow him. But, you will see in the rest of the article that it has been for longer that rock and metal artists and musicians are influenced by classical music.

Also, the first time a rock/metal band went on stage with an orchestra was in 1969 with Deep Purple. Since then, the process is often done.

However, this is fine when the orchestra adds something to the music. Another dimension. If it’s to make the same chords as guitars, it loses all its interest.

THE FUSION OF CLASSICAL MUSIC AND ROCK/METAL

We can’t talk about rock, metal and classical music without mentioning the obvious examples of this mix.

Symphonic metal and Neo-classical metal

But it’s not funny, because there’s obviously a link between the two…

No, I want to be a little more vicious than that!

So let’s move on. Where I’ll tell you about the influence and use of classical music in rock and metal works that are NOT symphonic metal (or in part, we accept death and symphonic black metal. I’m generous about that)

INFLUENCE AND USE OF CLASSICAL MUSIC IN ROCK AND METAL

The most interesting part of this post!

I’ll also begin by citing groups known for their love and influence of classical music. To finish with the “lesser” known.

Also, in this part, I will note the similarity between two works. Some are completely verified, others a little less.

Muse

There are dozens of titles of classical influence. Matthew Bellamy never hid his love of classical music. His influences include Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Lizt, Beethoven and Rachmaninov.  

We can mention :

• A Reference to the song Mon Cœur s’Ouvre à Ta Voix of the opera Samson and Dalila of Saint-Saëns in their title I Belong To You.

• A great influence of the composer Sergey Rachmaninov that inspires most of Bellamy’s piano solos including Rachmaninov’s Piano Concert n°2 op 18 which is widely exploited in songs such as: Space Dementia, Megalomania, Ruled by Secrecy or the piano part of Butterflies and Hurricanes.

• Reference to Nocturne n°2 op.9 by Chopin is present in Collateral Damage and Etude op.10 n°1 inspired the first notes of Bliss.

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• The 1st movement of Tchaikovsky’s Concerto for Piano n°1 op.23 is used in Hoodoo

• They were inspired by Edward Elgar’s Nimrod theme for The Globalist

• The band even created a 3-part track called Exogenesis Symphony. It’s a reference to a 3-movement symphony whose introduction of the latter recalls Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata.

Children of Bodom

We go from prog rock/ alt rock of Muse to death metal with Children of Bodom!
You’ll see us go through many different genres of rock and metal. A real musical rollercoaster !

Back to the band. First, the former frontman of Children of Bodom, Alexi Laino (RIP) was a big fan of Vivaldi. But this is not the only influence!

We can hear :

• Bach’s Invention n°13 in A Minor in Red Light In My Eyes pt.1

• Mozart’s Piano Concerto n°20 in D Minor in Black Widow

• Mozart’ Symphony n°25 and Confutatis in Red Light In My Eyes pt. 2

• Mozart’s Queen of the Night aria from the opera The Enchanted Flute (one of the most famous classical arias) in Hatebreeder

• Or Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor in The Nail

Symphony X

Progressive metal band, there is also a lot of classical influence in their compositions. Like:

Bach’s Prelude and Fugue n°2 in C Minor in Out Of The Ashes

• Bach’s Harpsichord Concerto n°1 in D Minor and Verdi’s Dies Irae in Fool’s Paradise

• Bach’s Kyrie Eleison in Smoke and Mirrors

Or Bartok’s Concerto for Orchestra in Fallen

Queen

This is no surprise to anyone (or nearly anyone). Freddie Mercury is a classical music lover. And its influence can be found in:

• Bohemian Rhapsody (Of course!). One cannot miss such a classic (lol) influence of the classical world in rock. With these lyrical parts and its melody, there is no doubt about this fact.

• The intro of It’s a Hard Life is also influenced by the classic with the influence of Vesti La Giubba by Leoncavallo

The Beatles

Hey, after metal and rock, we go to the British Invasion, YAY!

And this may come as a surprise to you, but some of the Beatles’ well-known songs have been influenced by classical music. Like:

• Bach’s Bouree in E Minor is used as the basis for writing BlackBird by Paul McCartney. He “reversed” the chord to arrive at the arpeggio present in the song.

• John Lennon was inspired by Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata (see above) for Because

• George Martin was inspired by Invention n°12 in A Major for the piano solo in the song In My Life.

Bach’s Brandenburg n°2 in F Major inspired the title Penny Lane with the melody of the Piccolo trumpet.

Elvis Presley

Yes, it goes back to that!

First, Elvis covered Caruso’s O Sole Mio. That’s the most obvious link. But did you know that:

• Can’t Help Falling In Love with you is a “cover” of Jean-Paul-Égide Martini’s song Plaisir d’Amour

• And Surrender is inspired by Ernesto de Curtis Torna a Surriento

Now, you know the truth !

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Other cases

And that is just an overview. We can also mention:

• Mars, The Bringer of War influenced Led Zeppelin for Friends and Black Sabbath’s Black Sabbath with its melody composed of tritons,
• The synth solo of the intro of Light My Fire of the Doors was influenced by Invention n°8 in Bach’s F Major,
• Genesis’ Horizons is inspired by the Suite for Cello #1 in D Minor,
• Radiohead’s Exit Music was inspired by Chopin’s E Minor Prelude,
• A Whiter Shade Of Pale by Procol Harum is influenced by Air On Bach’s String,
• Lacrymosa d’Evanescence is totally based on Mozart’s Lacrimosa,
• Accept’s Metal Heart is influenced by Tchaikovsky’s Slavic March and Beethoven’s Letter to Elise,
• Kamelot’s Forever is inspired by Grieg’s Song of Solveig,
• Last Rites by Megadeth is influenced by Toccata and Fugue in D minor by Bach,
• Rush 2112 is inspired by 1812 Tchaikovsky’s Overture,
• The band Savatage released an album entitled Hail Of the Mountain King (Dans l’Antre du Roi de la Montagne in French) inspired by the work of the same name of Grieg.
  PS: Afterwards, the band members formed the rock orchestra Trans-Siberian Orchestra
• The Wizard’s Last Rhymes by Rhapsody On Fire is influenced by Dvorak’s 4th Movement New World Symphony.
• Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor was also used by Van Halen

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We can also talk about the classical training of artists (whether singing, instruments) such as Cliff Burton (Metallica), David Draiman (Disturbed) or Ardek (Carach Angren)!

And I still pass many other obvious ones like Tarja Turunen (Tarja, ex Nightwish), Dianne Van den Giersbergen (Dianne, Ex Libris, ex Xandria), Floor Jansen (Nightwish, After Forever), Simone Simons (Epica), Eddie Van Halen (Van Halen), Amanda Somerville, Elton John, etc.

Also, how not to mention one of the most obvious links between classical and metal: Apocalyptica! Who is a metal band composed of 99% classical instruments (and particularly cellos).

BUT WHAT ABOUT COPYRIGHTS?

Most of the classical pieces were composed centuries ago. And by law, a piece enters the public domain 70 years after the author’s death.

Knowing this, the majority of classical pieces of music are in the public domain and are free of rights. And this also explains the influence of classical music in rock and metal (and other genres as well).

Classical music has a relatively important place in rock and metal.

For me, it is two categories of music that are closest in the current music. They also each have their specificities but are similar in many approaches.

Moreover many metalheads love classical music and there are probably some fans of classical music who love rock/ metal!

That concludes this post (a bit long)!

Feel free to like and share it.

See you soon!

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La musique classique et le métal, des univers musicaux pas si éloignés – RTS – 5 octobre 2018 : https://www.rts.ch/info/culture/musiques/9893117-la-musique-classique-et-le-metal-des-univers-musicaux-pas-si-eloignes.html

Opéra National de Bordeaux – les grands airs classiques et lyriques dans le rock – 19/05/2020 : https://www.opera-bordeaux.com/episode-4-les-grands-airs-classiques-et-lyriques-dans-le-rock-16439

Music’s Shoot – Le Metal et la musique classique – Mai 7, 2018 par Thomas Gall : https://musicsshoot.wordpress.com/2018/05/07/le-metal-et-la-musique-classique/

Metalliquoi ? – Episode 14 : Le Metal et la Musique Classique [REUPLOAD] : https://youtu.be/oIUNn55RHAM?si=L85VHcD5XntaSjRv

The 30 SICKEST Uses Of Classical Music In METAL Ever – Bradley Hall : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8n8FBQmVOGw

28 Songs That Are Based On Classical Music – David Bennett Piano : https://youtu.be/qA-tkCRwNVM?si=CyCwCGfy9824Iugz

14 Songs That ‘Rip Off’ Classical Music – David Bennett Piano : https://youtu.be/yknBXOSlFQs?si=EBKfz1mRGSlPysXQ

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Claire Abe

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