The Classic Progressive Rock which enjoys wide popularity can be subdivided into several sub-genres. One of these genres is Symphonic Rock being the largest and the most well-known one. Musicians came to the idea to combine progressive rock with classical music traditions. In order to create a more powerful impression on the audience the artists and performers have recourse to the use of classical instruments such as strings, woodwinds, and harpsichord. In practice the usage of synthesizer or mellotron can be also very effective as they emulate orchestral instruments.
The thematic content of symphonic rock is very extensive. It surpasses the usual rock and soul music. The following notability consists in the fact that compositions of the symphonic rock correspond to the formats of the suites, tone poems and also to operas. In this case it is obvious that this genre of progressive rock is notable for high complexity. The performance is of course more complicated than the performance of rock and pop music. The classical devices which are often met in symphonic rock also include the use of the synthesizer. This method serves as substitution for symphonic orchestration.
Among the great performers of symphonic rock we can include such bands as The Nice, Renaissance, Genesis. The title of the first album released by the band The Nice is The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack. The album appeared in 1967. While listening to the songs which are reckoned in the album one may come to the conclusion that the performers submitted to the influence of psychedelic rock. In the third album Nice the band combined symphonic prog with psychedelic rock, jazz, blues and some classical elements.
In the first album by the musical band Renaissance which was released under the same title Renaissance one can also deeply feel the elements of classical rock along with jazz, eastern and some folk elements. The band Renaissance gained recognition as symphonic rock band in 1971. It happened after the appearance of the album Proloque.
As far as the band Genesis concerns they emerged in the 70’s. After the release of their second album Trespass in 1970 the band was referred to the number of symphonic rock bands. The album Foxtrot became the highest point of their symphonic rock output. The band continued to perform and to compose songs in this genre till 1976. One year later one of the musicians quit Genesis and so the band became a crossover, arena rock band.
Symphonic Rock has been gaining great recognition and attention for a period of tens of years. This genre was engraved on the memory of several generations. The sound and the rhythm of the symphonic rock thanks to its uniqueness of course makes people listen to it again and again.