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The New York Rock & Roll Ensemble was formed by three Juilliard students (Michael Kamen, Martin Fulterman ---now known as Mark Snow--- and Dorian Rudnytsky) as well as two rock musicians, Brian Corrigan and Clifton Nivison. Beginning with their 1968 debut album they broke tradition by using classical music instruments in rock songs and rock instruments in classical pieces. This fusion, daring at the time, impressed legendary conductor Leonard Bernstein so much that he invited the group to appear at one of his Young People's Concerts with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra where they performed their signature song "Brandenburg", based on the first movement of Bach's Fifth Brandenburg Concerto.
Brandenburg appeared on the... Read More ... group's second LP "Faithful Friends" (1969). This LP had higher production values than their first and contained many of the songs that were part of their live act. Their third album, "Reflections" (1970), was actually recorded prior to Faithful Friends and was a collaboration with Greek composer Manos Hadjidakis on the score for a film that was never produced. Rhythm guitarist Brian Corrigan departed after the third album and after being part of the only movie appearance by the group, "Zachariah".
The band then shortened its name to The New York Rock Ensemble and switched to Columbia Records. Roll Over (1971) was their most overtly rock album and, at that time, their biggest seller. Their album Freedomburger (1972) was an uneven collection of songs. Soon after the tour supporting this album the band dispersed. Kamen, joined by Rudnytsky and other musicians, gave it one last try when they released New York Rock in 1973.
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