Yes, a band that began back in the ’60s left quite a legacy of music . Not only have they produced extraordinary eras of music (to each their own; for me, I’m Yes from beginning through Tormato. The rest…well, give or take. But that’s me. You might love the WHOLE catalog.) One of their reinterpretive sets is Symphonic Live.
Symphonic Live was originally released in 2002 via Eagle Music. The set was recorded from their Heineken Music Hall set in Amsterdam on November 22, 2001. The band, on their Magnification support tour, employed the European Festival Orchestra to help them produce a different experience of YES music. Steve Howe is on record as stating that the DVD issue of Symphonic Live was the best live representation of the band’s music and stage presence and show production (Steve Howe autobiography – All My Yesterdays, Pg 221 – published by Omnibus Press). This set was reissued as a complete set by Mercury Studios on January 23 (2026) containing 2 CDs with the set newly remastered for this release, a Blu-ray disc with the concert as the main prizes of the new reissue.
The CD-sized clam-shell box offers the 2 CDs in their own cardboard sleeves as well as the accompanying BD. The set provides a 16-page glossy booklet that 2 pages of notes by the illustrator of the original set and the new box (as well as Magnification, and Conspiracy). The rest of the booklet contains YES-styled artwork as well as a few pages of acknowledgements. The box also packs in a folded 2-sided poster for framing. Finally, there are five 5×5 art cards backed with the notes found in the booklet.
The Blu-ray offers the live songs, and provides access to the Dreamtime documentary (with sub-titles), and a video creation of “Don’t Go”. The audio choices are the standard LPCM Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, and DTS HD Master Audio.
For YES fans, this set is a nice add to the library as it updates the sound, and puts everything under the same roof. As a personal opinion, I feel that Symphonic Live serves two purposes: to provide a look at the YES classic songs reinterpreted with a orchestral accompaniment, and as a time-honored look at a later period of YES complete with a classic line-up (minus Rick Wakeman, who had an inescapable prior commitment that, sadly, didn’t allow for his involvement). However, and as the included BD reveals, the band and all participants enjoyed their time on this stage.
The music is good, the songs are classic gems, and it’s YES. I’m pleased with this new updated reissue.