---------------------------------------- MAY 25, 2001 ---------------------------------------- Source: Prog Rock Dock http://www.progrockdock.com/page1012.html Yes have completed the tracks for their next album, Magnification, which will be released by Beyond Music on September 11. The album and YesSymphonic tour include an orchestra, arranged and conducted by Emmy award winning television and motion picture composer Larry Groupé ("The Contender"). Unlike most artists who do a handful of dates with an orchestra by simply adding symphonic arrangements to their existing repertoire, the band and Groupé have collaborated on striking new compositions that will debut during the tour.  "Working with Yes has been the fulfillment of a long time dream," says Groupé, who has composed, conducted and produced over 80 recordings. "I've been a Yes fanatic from early on because of the 'bigness' of their sound. I've always thought of them as being the leaders of orchestral rock--classical rock as opposed to classic rock. Working on this album has been one of the most creatively rewarding projects I've ever been involved with." "Yes music has always lent itself to classical orchestrations and symphonic instrumentation, so much so that people have been asking us for years when we were going to tour with a symphony," says Chris Squire. "We realized that touring with a symphony only partially fulfilled what we do. In order to provide the complete Yes experience, we felt it only appropriate to make an album of new music to go along with the tour. We've been thinking about this for a number of years and finally took the time to do it exactly the way we wanted." The tour will mark the first time the band has performed with an orchestra since March 21, 1970, at Queen Elizabeth Hall in England. Tom Brislin will support the band and orchestra on keyboards. Tom writes a monthly column for Keyboard Magazine and has worked with Meat Loaf, among others.  The summer North American tour will include stops at the Hollywood Bowl (with the Hollywood Bowl orchestra), San Diego (with the San Diego Symphony orchestra), and Atlanta (with the Atlanta Symphony orchestra). The tour begins in July in North America. Yes will then tour Europe, including their first concert in Moscow, Russia. Close Window YesInThePress.com For site comments, problems, corrections, or additions, contact YesinthePress@aol.com