by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Rone has always been an artist keen to try new things, but even he baulked slightly at the prospect of working with an orchestra. This was in part due to an inferiority complex that he felt, ‘in relation to scholarly music’.

Helping him bridge the perceived divide was arranger Romain Allender, a fan of Rone’s music and a skilled accomplice with composer Alexandre Desplat. The two started working together in 2017, a partnership that culminated with this project enlisting the Orchestre national de Lyon and conductor Dirk Brossé

On it they reimagine carefully chosen parts of Rone’s electronic discography for orchestra, discovering the transition between the two to be surprisingly seamless.

What’s the music like?

Full of drama. This is a really impressive project, one that retains the immediate thrill of Rone’s music but does a great job in bringing out its previously unheard orchestral elements.

The arrangements are imaginative, using the orchestra to their full potential, in a way that brings out all the melodies but also generates impressive momentum.

New track Ghosts is very atmospheric, a piece of big screen imagination brought to life, while (OO) gains really impressive power, its orchestral concept fully realised. Room With A View goes a step further, incisive strings driving forward to thrilling effect before a piano comes through to lead the melody. Chaos reigns towards the end as all the forces gather.

Does it all work?

It does. A consistently imaginative partnership that reaps rewards and presents a new side to Rone’s music. No tired re-hashes here!

Is it recommended?

Yes – and it rewards repeated listening.

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