New York Rock & Roll Ensemble

The New York Rock & Roll Ensemblewas arockband active in the late 1960s and early 1970s, whose music was described as "classical baroque rock". The group performed wearing classical musician's attire,white tieandtailcoat(nottuxedo).
The band was formed by threeJuilliardstudentsMichael Kamen, Marty Fulterman (now known asMark Snow) andDorian Rudnytsky, plus two rock musicians Brian Corrigan and Clif Nivison.
Rudnytsky said that while they were students at Juilliard, Kamen and Fulterman played in a rock band named "Emil & The Detectives" (named afterthe Erich Kästner novel) while he played in a rock band named Invicta with Corrigan and Nivison, all of whom hailed fromToms River, New Jersey. A mutual friend and record producer suggested that all five drop their current bands and form a new combo.  After the new group's first gig at a Juilliard Halloween dance in 1967, they were signed byAtlantic RecordswhereAhmet Ertegünwas quoted by one of the members as having said in jest, "You play all the right notes on all the wrong instruments."
Their recording debut was the 1968 eponymous albumThe New York Rock & Roll Ensemble, which  broke the norm by using classical music instruments in rock songs and rock instruments in classical pieces. This fusion, daring at the time, impressedLeonard Bernsteinwho invited the group to appear at one of his Young People's Concerts with theNew York Philharmonic Orchestra, where they performed their signature song "Brandenburg", based on the first movement of Bach's FifthBrandenburg Concerto. This track showed the group at their best, starting off as a straight rendition featuring two oboes, guitar and cello, then transitioning into a rock tune, while continuing to use Bach's musical foundation.
Because Brandenburg was the song that showed the widest range of their musicianship, the group typically performed that song at television appearances onThe Tonight Show,The Steve Allen Showand other TV shows of that era.
Brandenburg appeared on the group's second albumFaithful Friends, which had improved production since their first and contained many of the songs that were part of their live act.
Their third album,Reflections, was recorded prior toFaithful Friends. It was a collaboration with Greek composerManos Hatzidakison a film score that was never produced.  The group decided to release this already recorded music as their last Atlantic album. BecauseReflectionswas such a departure from their "classical/rock" roots, it apparently sold poorly when released and at least one member of the group believed that it hurt their popularity by confusing their fan base.This album became the group's best selling album after it was re-released in Europe. In 2005 the Greek bandRaining Pleasurereleased its own interpretation of this album.
Rhythm guitarist Brian Corrigan departed after the third album, and the only movie appearance by the group inZachariahwhich featured an extended version of Kamen's song "Gravedigger". The band then shortened its name to New York Rock Ensemble and switched toColumbia Records. Released in 1971,Roll Overwas their most overtly rock style album and their biggest seller yet. One of the songs on it is "Fields of Joy", covered byLenny Kravitzin 1991 for his albumMama Said.The band's tour to support this album expanded on their usual college events, by playing with symphony orchestras across the country including theBoston Popsand theSt. Louis Symphony Orchestra. During these gigs the group would play a solo set and then join with the orchestra to perform an orchestral version of Kamen's rock song "Anaconda," and his "Winter Child", based on the Aria from Bach'sGoldberg Variations. Kamen's orchestral composition and rock-orchestral fusion set the stage for his later work as a movie composer as well as a composer, conductor and performer withMetallica,Eric ClaptonandPink Floyd. Kamen also toured with David Bowie supporting the Diamond Dogs album.
Their last album wasFreedomburgerin 1972. Soon after the tour supporting this album, the band dispersed.
Kamen, joined by Rudnytsky and other musicians, gave it one last try when he releasedNew York Rockin 1973. "Winter Child" appears on that album.  Band membership at this time was Kamen and Rudnytsky, joined byDavid Sanbornon saxophone, Larry Packer (formerly ofCat Mother and the All Night News Boys) on guitar and violin, Dennis Whitted (later ofPaul ButterfieldandBonnie Raitt) on drums andHank DeVito(later ofEmmylou Harris' "Hot Band") on pedal steel.
Michael Kamen later achieved fame for his many film scores and his "fusion" work. He died in 2003.
Marty Fulterman adopted the name Mark Snow and gained renown for his scores and themes for TV shows, particularlyThe X Files.