Symphonic Prog Appreciation Thread

Hello there! The last Symphonic Prog Appreciation thread is locked and kinda dead now so I decided to make a new one. This is for all of us Symphonic Prog lovers! 💕 🎼
I can't even describe how much I love this subgenre. There's a little bit of not quite essential albums labeled as Symphonic Prog over here at PA but the majority at least from the ones I've heard are of top quality! In addition to that it seems Symphonic Prog checks almost all the boxes of what I expect to enjoy out of prog in general. The keyboard tones Symph artists tend to utilize, from the liquid acidic piercing minimoog leads to the swarming tapey Mellotron washes to the bubbly spinning hammond chops are soooo goooood. Analog, or digital. 70s or modern. Guitar centric? Guitarless? I don't really care. I think that's the first thing that pops out that really makes the music so... Symphonic. The classical style compositional techniques are amazing as well but I'm no expert on classical music so I don't think I can go in a huge detail about that.

My favorite essential Symphonic Prog bands as of February 2021:
Yes
the sheer elegance and beauty of what I consider THE archetype of symph. prog.
The Flower Kings
Stunning modern take on the 70s sound with mesmerizing guitar work and flawless arrangements full of quirky flavors and tasteful touches courtesty of Roine and company!
ELP
Legendary organ solos, over the top sound, amazing drumming, perfect triocentric arrangements. There is a kind of "crude humpor" thing to the sound of ELP but that's what makes them unique.
early Spock's Beard/Neal Morse Band/Transatlantic (to some point)
And other projects which feature Neal Morse at the primary composer/arranger. They just roar: "EPIC!" There's a kinda formal thing to the sound those projects represent. The music is very angular and blocky but thanks to the classicistic embelishments, the simple hooks really shine and entertain! And the simplicity is what makes these hooks so catchy, at least for prog standards. xD

And here are the non-essential bands that I love equally as much:

Anyone's Daughter
70s Kaipa
Simon Says
Triumvirat

You just reminded me that I gotta revisit Schicke, Führs & Fröhling! xD It's been a few years since I last gave their songs a proper listen.

Wow, a lot of people here love The Flower Kings. Well... I got into the right place at the right time!

JD wrote: What are you looking at me for... I agree 100% ! Add the Moody Blues, Triumvirat, SFF, Gryphon, Tomita & Synergy.

^ My pleasure. It's not bad going, considering it only began as a Top 10 list of Symphonic Prog, and surprisingly, I actually know  two thirds of the albums in the Top 37. 

Definitely a lot of good music in the symphonic prog category.  I'm definitely a fan of all things related to the Flower Kings and Spock's Beard.

Symphonic is arguably the go-to, especially on PA! Symphonic, Eclectic, and ROI/RPI are my go-to's.

AFlowerKingCrimson wrote: JD wrote: What are you looking at me for... I agree 100% ! Add the Moody Blues, Triumvirat, SFF, Gryphon, Tomita & Synergy. He said Triumvirat already. I don't know if I consider them symph though. Wouldn't that be like calling ELP or Nektar symph?

I've never considered ELP (my fav band) Symph. They are, IMHO Heavy Prog. I even think Emerson himself said something along those lines in an interview many years ago. I would say T-Rat is at least Symph like.

I once had an argument with a woman who insisted Yes were not symphonic prog. I would like to know what she considers symphonic prog and who she does consider to be symph prog. They might not be the best example but that's usually what they are labelled as. 

lazland wrote: AFlowerKingCrimson wrote: I once had an argument with a woman who insisted Yes were not symphonic prog. I would like to know what she considers symphonic prog and who she does consider to be symph prog. They might not be the best example but that's usually what they are labelled as.  You should get her in touch with Ivan. Should be an interesting exchange of views