Scorpions collaboration with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra dates back when in 1995 the Berlin Philharmonic originally approached Scorpions to do such a show. But the deal did not materialize and it was left hanging.

Fast forward to January, March and April 2000 and the collaboration was finally done with an expanse set of musicians jamming to the songs by the Scorpions. The concert was finally released on CD on 8^th August, 2000. The album features only 10 tracks that consist of re-worked songs integrated with an orchestra and some really cool interludes from classical pieces. During the Hanover EXPO in June of 2000, Scorpions performed the show live and it was recorded for a DVD and was released in December 2000. 

The Scorpions did something a lot of bands were doing and that was recording a live album using an orchestra. Metallica for one has done an orchestral setting of their songs when they released ‘S&M’ in 1999. Originally Scorpions had approached Michael Kamen, but he gave up on the job so he could actually go work with Metallica on their album. They eventually found a composer by the name of Christian Kolonovits and along with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, the album was completed.

The 100 minute set kicks off with a complete rearrangement of Rock You Like a Hurricane titled Hurricane 2000. You get a grand opening with the orchestra in full force. The band featuring long time members Klaus Meine, Rudolf Schenker, and Mattias Jabs, joined by bassist Ralph Rieckermann and drummer James Kottak (formerly of Kingdom Come), give their best shot at the word go. Christian Kolonovits conducts the orchestra and that classic Hurricane riff re-imagined with an orchestra and a lot of extra notes thrown in, is simply mind blowing.

Moment of Glory was the theme song for the Hanover EXPO 2000 which is basically a large world’s fair that was expected that 40 million people would visit. This is also the title to this brilliant concert DVD. With its slow pitch high vocal arrangement, this song has the right amount of classical and right amount of Scorpions. The song has a children’s choir (Vienna Boys' Choir), as well as an adult choir and features singer Zucchero.

The ballads come on in full force with Here in My Heart where Klaus sings this song as a duet with guest vocalist Lyn Liechty who hits it off well. The cover song that was written by Diane Warren and sang originally by Tiffany, is well brought out here. The song is extended out longer than normal run time and this would be due to the addition of orchestration to the songs.

Everyone’s favorite Scorpions track, this time in a classical version of their famous ballad Wind of Change. The opening orchestration starts off light and then gets bigger followed by the band who puts in their rock edge to this masterpiece. The song if one had to really look closely, works well with orchestration and as for the whistles, it’s there, Klaus cannot go wrong on this one.

You then have a splendid instrumental interlude, Deadly Sting Suite opening with Crossfire which has a Prologue of Midnight in Moscow and the instrumental Crossfire. which is basically two instrumentals of He’s a Woman, She’s a Man and Dynamite. This works brilliantly as it is pure metal and classical just going at it and tearing things up.

We get another ballad with Still Loving You performed as a duet with the beautiful and talented Lyn Liechty, a young singer. It which opens with acoustic guitars and some strings then sees Klaus sing the first chorus. This is classic Scorpions with an orchestra playing this song.

Midway you get to rock it with Big City Nights with Scottish singer Ray Wilson from the band Stiltskin on stage for this rocking piece.

The Conductor of the Philharmonica, Christian Kolonovits, deserves a special mention. This guy is great. He maintains a good balance of technical classical abilities, keeping the orchestra in pace and tune, whilst also maintaining a good rock sensibility, being cognisant to retain flexibility in timing for when the electric guitars and vocals come in. He also looks like he's having a great time about it.

If you love the music of Scorpions, don’t miss this.

Rating: *****

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira