Go Your Own Way: Classic Rock from 1977 at RNCM

1977 was a big year for music, and especially British music. Punk was tearing strips off the rock establishment – who, inconveniently, were busy releasing some of the greatest records of the decade. To pick one moment when these worlds collided, Queen’s News of the World and Sex Pistols’ Never Mind the Bollocks landed on the very same day that October, having been recorded next door to each other (and according to Johnny Rotten, Brian May even asked him to sing backing vocals). But given punk doesn’t take too kindly to a string section, the RNCM Session Orchestra’s February concert focuses on the more melodic side of 1977. And there’s a lot to go at.

The 40-piece RNCM Session Orchestra, which encompasses a rhythm section, strings, horns, percussion and vocalists, will cover hallowed ground including the Berlin-era brilliance of David Bowie. That year brought both Low and “Heroes”, made with Brian Eno: records that paired restless art-rock with ambient instrumentals, pointing the way to synth-pop and post-punk (a young Manchester band even named themselves Warsaw after Low’s ‘Warszawa’, before becoming Joy Division). The music has history in the concert hall, too: Philip Glass built two symphonies from these records in the 1990s.

Armed with new arrangements, and joined by soloists from the RNCM’s Popular Music department, the Orchestra also heads west to California, where Fleetwood Mac – by then an Anglo-American band, a long way from their London blues roots – made Rumours as their relationships fell apart around them. The result was the best-selling album of 1977, and it turns 50 the same month as this concert. ‘Go Your Own Way’, which lends the evening its title, is Lindsey Buckingham’s parting shot to Stevie Nicks – which she then had to perform, night after night.

Guest directing the concert is Carol Jarvis, an RNCM graduate who has become one of the UK’s most in-demand session trombonists and orchestrators. Her CV takes in Paul McCartney, Amy Winehouse and, usefully for the occasion, Queen. She’s also been guest principal trombone with the London Symphony Orchestra and the Hallé, and her orchestrations have been heard at the Oscars.

Berlin experiments, California heartbreak and stadium anthems. With 40 players behind it, the classic rock of 1977 has never sounded bigger. And you never know – perhaps punk will get a turn in 2028.