New Trolls

Album Overview

"Concerto Grosso Per I New Trolls" is an album by the Italian rock band New Trolls, released in 1971 under the Cetra label. This unique record combines elements of rock with orchestral music. It features a blend of progressive rock and art rock, marked by intricate compositions and skilled musicianship. The album was recorded at Ortophonic Studio in Rome and at Fonit-Cetra's studio in Milan during March 1971.

Musical Composition

The album's first side consists of a four-movement suite, which was composed and conducted by Luis Enriquez Bacalov, an Argentine-born film composer. The movements are titled "1° Tempo: Allegro," "2° Tempo: Adagio (Shadows)," "3° Tempo: Cadenza - Andante Con Moto," and "4° Tempo: Shadows (Per Jimi Hendrix)." The piece features the band accompanied by an orchestra, which adds depth to the rock elements. The movement "Shadows" serves as a tribute to the legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix, reflecting the band's admiration for his influence.

Improvisational Experimentation

On the B side, the album diverges from the orchestral format with a lengthy live improvisation titled "Nella Sala Vuota." This track showcases the band's ability to create spontaneous music in a studio environment, emphasizing their artistic freedom and collaboration. The improvisation runs for approximately 20 minutes and allows each member to explore their musical ideas without the constraints of structured composition.

Production Credits

The production of "Concerto Grosso Per I New Trolls" was overseen by Sergio Bardotti, with engineering contributions from Pino Mastroianni and Plinio Chiesa. This collaborative effort helped to capture the dynamic range of the band's performance and the orchestral arrangements. The album also marks the beginning of keyboardist Maurizio Salvi's involvement with the group, contributing to its evolving sound.

Follow-Up Release

The success of this album led New Trolls to produce a sequel, titled "Concerto Grosso No. 2," which was released in 1976. This continuation further explores the fusion of rock and orchestral music that characterized the band's early work.