January 2017 – World Prog-Nation

John Wetton of Asia and King Crimson Dies at Age 67

Posted on January 31, 2017 by worldprognation

Music legend and Prog icon John Wetton has passed away at the age of 67 after a battle with colon cancer. John had a long and fruitful career, most notably […]

Anointed Musicians, Anointed Listeners – A Conversation with Neal Morse

Posted on January 30, 2017 by worldprognation

By Alfredo Iraheta exclusively for World Prog-Nation The Neal Morse Band has embarked on a world tour titled The Road Called Home supporting the concept, double album The Similitude Of […]

Review: Sonic Celluloid by Djam Karet

Posted on January 29, 2017 by worldprognation

Sonic Celluloid, the 18th studio album by Southern California instrumental band Djam Karet has been released to the delight of fans worldwide! This album is the follow-up to the 2015 […]

From The Interesting Film Company

PERSPECTIVES: RICK WAKEMAN
ON VIVALDI’S FOUR SEASONS
Sunday 3rd May 2015 on ITV

Pictured: Rick Wakeman

Antonio Vivaldi’s the Four Seasons is the most popular piece of classical music of all time. There have been over 1000 different recordings , selling tens of millions of copies. It’s become so ubiquitous – in lifts, as phone ring tones or on call-centre answering machines – that it has been denounced as Muzak for the middle classes.

Rick Wakeman – platinum-selling prog rock keyboardist and television Grumpy Old Man – thinks the critics are wrong. He believes that the Four Seasons was so far ahead of its time that it was actually the first ever concept album – and that Vivaldi was the world’s first rock superstar.
But how could a sickly 18th century priest create the prototype for Rick’s very modern genre? And why did Vivaldi and the Four Seasons disappear into obscurity for more than 200 years after his death?

Rick turns detective to solve the mystery: his journey takes him to Venice – in the 18th century the most debauched city on the planet – where he encounters some of those who have devoted their lives to studying and worshipping Vivaldi … and uncovers the whiff of a very modern rock star sex scandal. Which may have contributed to Vivaldi’s downfall.

But the investigation also leads Rick to unexpected places and people. He meets fellow prog rocker Mike Rutherford from Genesis and debates whose band Vivaldi would join; and he encounters the Croatian arranger and keyboard player whose multi-national assembly of musicians is turning the Four Seasons into heavy metal.

Along the way Rick also discovers the only existing original score for the Four Seasons … in just about the last place anyone would have thought to find it…

© The Interesting Film Company

For further information please contact Peter Gray
0207 157 3046 peter.gray@itv.com

This photograph is © ITV and can on

Rick Wakeman Decided To Attend Yes’ Rock Hall Induction

Posted on January 6, 2017 by worldprognation

Classic Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman changed his mind about not attending the band’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction after it was announced that late Chris Squire will receive […]

Rick Wakeman won’t reunite with Yes for their Rock And Roll hall of fame induction

Posted on January 1, 2017 by worldprognation

it is now confirmed that Rick Wakeman will not attend Yes’ Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame long-awaited induction. Yes, Pearl Jam, Journey and others, will be honored at the 32nd […]