"Orchestral" is an album by Visage, a British synthpop band popular in the 1980s. In contrast to their earlier work which was primarily characterized by a blend of synthpop and new wave, "Orchestral" deviated heavily from Visage's typical style. It was released on 8 December 2014.
The album is a life-long ambition of Visage front man Steve Strange. It consists of tracks from Visage’s back catalogue and a couple of the band's favourite songs by other artists, all performed by a symphony orchestra. The album is a showcase of lush classical arrangements, with most of its tracks featuring a full concert orchestra. In particular, it presents the natural mingling of electronic and classic music that emphasizes melody and harmony supported by electronic rhythmic patterns, which are beautifully complemented by the orchestra.
Key tracks from the album include orchestral versions of their hits such as "Fade to Grey", "Damned Don't Cry", and "Visage." They also cover the songs " In the Year 2525" by Zager and Evans and "Loving The Alien" by David Bowie.
Although an unusual concept, this venture clearly worked well for the band as the album was very well received by critics and the band's dedicated listeners. It serves as a fantastic exhibition of the versatility and adaptability that Visage carries as a band.
