Standing Stone

Standing Stone – based on an extended poem written by Paul himself – was Paul’s second full-length release of original classical music and was given its world premiere performance at The Royal Albert Hall in October 1997. As Paul explained, “I don’t divide my tastes into liking rock music or classical music. I just like good music.” Standing Stone may yet prove the least predictable landmark in a life-long musical journey packed with surprising moves. Rejecting a suggestion that it marked a permanent move from rock music to classical, Paul was quick to point out that only a month earlier he was on the same Albert Hall stage rocking out to ‘Kansas City’. He later explained part of the work: “Above all, I wanted Standing Stone to end with a celebratory passage. Besides the original sketches that I made for the work, I also had a tune that I wrote years ago but I never found a use for. My children had grown up with it, my father in-law liked it, and I always felt it was part of the family. I want everyone to leave happy after a performance of Standing Stone since I write for people.” 

London Symphony Orchestra
Janice Graham - Leader
London Symphony Chorus
Stephen Westrop - Chorus Master
Conducted By Lawrence Foster
Musical Associates Richard Rodney Bennett, John Harle, David Matthews, Steve Lodder
Produced by John Fraser
Executive Producer: Paul McCartney
Balance Engineer: John Kurlander
Editor: Simon Kiln
Technical Engineers: Keith Smith, Eddie Klein
Recorded at No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London
Published By MPL Communications Ltd