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Sky Mozart Review by Gary Hill The final album (to date - the group has not worked together since, but have not officially disbanded), this is the most classical release they ever did. It was recorded with a symphony orchestra. In fact, as a rock reviewer without any real classical training, I'm a bit out of my element reviewing this. It probably doesn't really fit under prog rock, but given the fact that a few songs do, and that the rest of their catalog lands there, that's where I'm putting it. As you might guess from the title, all the music here was written by Mozart. This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2018 Volume 3. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2018.

Track by Track Review

The Marriage of Figaro: Overture Classical and prog marry particularly well here. This is a killer symphonic prog piece. It seems a great way to bring the magic of Mozart to the immediacy of a rock arrangement.

Eine kleine Nachtmusik: Rondo While this is perhaps less rocking than the opener, it's no less effective. It does focus more on the orchestral side of the equation. I like the acoustic guitar work on this number quite a bit.

The Marriage of Figaro: Non So Piu, Cosa Son More purely symphonic, this is interesting, but not a highlight.

Symphony No. 34: Last Movement Now this does a great job of merging the symphonic and the rocking. It's energetic, bombastic and very entertaining.

Symphony No. 35 ("Haffner"): Andante Intricate piano and guitar are at the heart of much of this piece. There are definitely some turns and different moods here, though.

The Magic Flute: Overture Here we get another that's more purely symphonic at the start. There is a good balance between the bombastic and more sedate, though. Around the two minute mark it turns toward a more rock based version of the piece. It works back to the more fully symphonic stuff later, too.

Eine kleine Nachtmusik: Romanza This is pretty much purely classical in its treatment and delivery. There is some nice acoustic guitar work in the mix here.

Horn Concerto No. 4 in E flat major: Rondo Here we have another that's more purely classical. It has a good bombastic element. As you might guess, horn plays a big part in this arrangement.

Don Giovanni: La Ci Darem La Mano Here we have another that's mostly full on classical in its treatment.

A Musical Joke: Presto Now, this piece is very much set in a prog rock style, albeit symphonic prog. The keyboards drive it in some intriguing ways at the beginning. There are other elements at the heart of it later, but the energy and vibe remain. A false ending mid track gives way to a new movement. Electronic elements start that, and the symphonic arrangement lends more classical edge, but overall it is more of a modern rocking thing.

Come, Sweet May The piano is prominent on this, but other elements are also deeply involved. This is a pretty piece that is one of the stronger of the classical numbers.

Alla Turca: Rondo A powerful symphonic jam makes up the concept of this number. They move it between more bombastic and mellower movements.

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