"Carpenters with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra" is a compilation album by the American duo, The Carpenters. Released on December 7, 2018, the album features original vocals from Richard and Karen Carpenter set to new orchestral arrangements performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Abbey Road Studios in London.
The album was produced by Richard Carpenter, and contains a selection of the band's hits as well as a few lesser-known tracks. The goal is to evoke a fresh sense of wonder about the duo's timeless sound. Richard himself described the project as a dream come true, stating that it shows how well the siblings' music can withstand time.
The idea of the album began in early 2018 when Richard Carpenter was approached by Universal Music Group about the possibility of creating a new album. The result is a 18-track album that evokes memories of the original while presenting a fresh take. The album includes hits like “Yesterday Once More,” “Top Of The World,” and “(They Long To Be) Close To You.”
The album was welcomed by fans and has revived the interest in The Carpenters' music. Its classic songs, combined with the rich sound of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, has been praised for enhancing the timeless quality of The Carpenters' original recordings.
