Yes Symphonic Live Gets a Remastered Reissue With a First-Ever Vinyl Release
The 2001 Amsterdam concert with the European Festival Orchestra returns on 4LP vinyl and as a Blu-ray and 2CD box set, with the near half-hour “Ritual” on vinyl for the first time.
The progressive rock icons Yes are reissuing one of the most ambitious concerts of their career. Symphonic Live, captured on November 22, 2001, at the Heineken Music Hall in Amsterdam alongside the European Festival Orchestra, has been completely remastered and released by Mercury Studios in newly remastered premium physical formats, including a multi-LP vinyl edition and a Blu-ray box set.
A Unique Era for the Band
The concert comes from the tour for the album Magnification, which Yes recorded entirely without synthesizers, relying instead on a live orchestra. That choice made the symphonic setting a natural fit for the stage show, with the orchestra playing a central role in the arrangements rather than sitting behind the band.
The performance also stands as the final filmed symphonic tour featuring classic vocalist Jon Anderson. He is joined by core members Steve Howe, Chris Squire, and Alan White, with Tom Brislin handling auxiliary keyboards. For fans of the band’s classic lineup, it is a rare record of that group working with a full orchestra.
The Reissue Configurations
- The 4LP Half-Speed Master Vinyl Edition: For the first time, the complete concert is available on vinyl. Pressed on 180-gram audiophile wax, it spans seven sides of music, with a custom art etching on the final side. It includes the full, near half-hour progressive epic “Ritual (Nous Sommes du Soleil)” on vinyl for the first time.
- The Blu-ray + 2CD Clamshell Box Set: This three-disc package pairs a high-definition video master of the 14-song visual document on Blu-ray with the newly remastered audio across two CDs.
- Upgraded visuals and physical extras: The reissue replaces the older packaging with upgraded computer-graphics artwork curated by Bob Cesca. The clamshell box includes a commemorative booklet, a fold-out poster, and five exclusive art cards.
Tracklist and Bonus Content
The set weaves songs from Magnification, including the title track and “In The Presence Of,” together with grand orchestral reimaginings of definitive Yes classics: “Close to the Edge,” “The Gates of Delirium,” “Starship Trooper,” and “Roundabout.” Hearing those long-form pieces with an orchestra is the main draw of the concert.
The Blu-ray adds original promotional materials, the music video for “Don’t Go,” and a retrospective 30-minute documentary, “Dreamtime.”
How to Get It
Pre-orders and open inventory are available through the Official YES Store and specialized distributors such as Rough Trade.
