I think the intersection of classical music and the popular music of the time is endlessly interesting. What is your favorite piece of music that is inspired by classical music/blends classical music with the popular music of the time?

Question

Emilie Bienvenew · Answer

Beethoven Blues (Jon Batiste): Beethoven avec style

Dylan · Answer

ROSALÍA - Berghain feat. Björk & Yves Tumor: I have no words except THIS IS INSANE. The orchestra, the opera, her voice, the casual Björk feature, the visuals... this is cinema, this is ART!!!! Nobody’s doing it like Rosalía. Watch this live at the Brit Awards for more mind-blowing genius.

Christiane · Answer

Egg - Fugue In D Minor (1970): An absolute classic (literally) turned banger. Need the anthem of a lifetime? Look no further than Johann Sebastian Bach’s Fugue In D Minor, reimagined by British Prog Rockers, Egg. It’s dramatic, it’s sexy, it’s what played as my husband and I kissed on our wedding day and made for the most epic recessional

Alexandra Clark · Answer

Holy Are You by The Electric Prunes: Doesn’t get more classic than a mass I suppose… the Electric Prunes did a prog rock/psychedelic interpretation of a Catholic mass on Mass in F Minor, which is a treat to listen to. Their follow up album Release of an Oath expands on the same theme. “Holy Are You” is my favorite track, it makes the Catholic classic sound yearningly devotional, almost romantic.

friendall · Answer

Symphony X: it isn't necessarily popular, but contemporary progressive power metal with heavy classical influence

Ross Chait · Answer

Randy Newman - Davy the Fat Boy: Randy told me it took him the better part of six months to write these string arrangements and it shows!

Joe · Answer

Orchestral Soundtracks to Rock and Roll Movies: Action movie soundtracks often feature orchestral+popular fusions. Mad Max, a lot of Trent Reznor soundtracks, Pacific Rim is a favorite: it’s not clear if this is “classical” inspired or just a sort of orchestral heavy metal, but it’s big and fun and they’re still making it.

Rish · Answer

Never Gonna Fall in Love Again: Eric Carmen is an incredibly underrated musician. He wrote Hungry Eyes from Dirty Dancing and All By Myself, but I think he is not talked about nearly enough. Famously, All By Myself is based on the second movement of Rachmaninoff's Second Piano Concerto, but my favorite Carmen piece based on Rachmaninoff is Never Gonna Fall in Love Again, based on the third movement of Rachmaninoff's Second Symphony. Check it out!