Who would have thought that classic rock and classical music could go so well together?

The Colorado Symphony Orchestra certianly did as it played the music of Led Zeppelin last Friday night at the Boettcher Concert Hall at the Denver Performing Arts Complex.

The evening was extra special as it was not just the symphony orchestra giving classic rock a classical spin, but they were joined by an actual rock band.

The orchestra was joined by Randy Jackson, lead singer and guitarist for the band. The band also included Tom Jones on guitar, Dan Clemens on bass, Powell Randolph on drums and Allegra Havens on electric violin.

Jackson is also the lead singer in the rock band Zebra.

Brent Havens was the conductor and did the arrangements for the evening. He is well-known for arranging music for films, TV, commercials and rock groups.

The symphony played a wide variety of Led Zeppelin songs. The concert was set up more like a rock concert than a classical performance-there were two sets and an encore.

The first set was particularly strong and featured some of Led Zeppelin’s most well loved songs like: “Whole Lotta Love,” “Immigrant Song,” “Kashmir” and “Ramble On.”

At the end of the first set, the orchestra started to play “Heartbreaker” and then in the middle of the guitar solo, transitioned over to “Misty Mountain Hop” and went back to “Heartbreaker” to finish the set. This was one of the highlights of performance as it was well rehearsed and the unexpected segeway was a great surprise.

After an intermission, the orchestra came back with a second set that featured well known Led Zeppelin songs like “Friends,” “Going to California,” “Thank you,” “Black Dog,” “Dancing Days” and “Moby Dick.”

And in true rock’n’roll fashion the band and symphony orchestra returned for an encore that brought down the house. They played the world famous “Stairway to Heaven,” with a disco ball spinning on the ceiling. The finale was “The Ocean” which wrapped up the night on an upbeat note.

While the orchestra mainly acted as background to the rock band, it added an additional dimension to already powerful music

Even though I do not mind classical music, I would not call it my favorite type. But this concert made me appreciate it so much more as it was combined with the music of one of my favorite bands.

Th next night the Colorado Symphony orchestra gave the music of Pink Floyd another legendary rock band, the same treatment.

To check out Colorado Symphony Orchestra events, go to: http://www.coloradosymphony.org/.