The Vermont Symphony Orchestra (VSO) is launching a unique show titled “Heavy Metal Strings,” blending classical compositions with rock and metal influences. This innovative performance begins on April 4 at the Paramount Theatre in Rutland, featuring an intimate setting where the audience is onstage with the quartet. The program will include rock anthems like Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” and Tool’s “Forty Six & 2,” adapted for strings by cellist John Dunlop and musician-composer Matt LaRocca.

The show aims to highlight the connection between classical music and contemporary rock, recognizing that many rock legends were influenced by classical training. The quartet employs techniques such as “chopping” (to imitate a snare drum) and “ponticello” (to create a metallic sound) while performing. LaRocca, involved in arrangements, emphasizes that translating rock into string music requires thoughtful interpretation rather than direct replication.

One standout piece is Dunlop’s performance of Judah Adashi’s “my heart comes undone,” utilizing a looping pedal to create an ambient soundscape. The program will also feature classical works, including compositions from Dmitri Shostakovich that reflect political tensions of his time.

With a goal of fostering closer audience connections, VSO’s Jukebox series resembles intimate “salon concerts” from the 18th and 19th centuries, breaking the barrier often found in larger venues. This year’s show represents a stronger focus on familiar rock genres, expanding into a family-friendly “Juicebox” series, aimed at exploring emotions through a blend of classical and modern music, further emphasizing the underlying connections between seemingly disparate musical styles.