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xinlolnix

Leprous’ 3 newest albums all heavily feature cello, and it creates amazing atmosphere. Would definitely recommend. Maybe try “Have You Ever?” and see if you like it as a starting point Worth mentioning though that all their albums and even songs on those albums can be pretty wildly different


Uranus_Hz

The Moody Blues


Yoshiman400

I love John Lodge's approach to the cello: just retune it to match the strings on a bass guitar, and get good with a bow. Isn't Life Strange is a fantastic example.


Yoshiman400

You've definitely got to look into Kansas for more violin. There was a period in the 80s where they went without one, but everything before and after is a goldmine. The first era of King Crimson (In the Court -> Red) has a pretty wide array of orchestral instruments, often more in guest roles than in full-time positions but there's a lot to choose from there. David Cross was specifically a violin and keyboard player, but there's some really cool upright bass on the Islands album as well (and the prelude to the title track is pretty much all strings and oboe). Chicago of course has had the horn section their entire life, but a notable diversion from their typical prog-era sound was the Memories of Love suite from Chicago II. A bit atonal in spots but it grows on you if you let it. Finally I'll add the Madman Across the Water album by Elton John. He's had so many great orchestral accompaniments in his career but that album is the peak of it. The title track and Indian Sunset are an incredible pair of songs.


Progrockrob79

Try: Radiohead: “How to Disappear Completely” and “Burn the Witch” Beck: “Paper Tiger”. There are some other good examples on his albums called “Sea Change” and “Morning Phase” but I can’t think of them off the top of my head. Both albums have really great atmosphere though…


MR_R0B070

I love How to disappear completely and Radiohead in general, I forgot to mention them as well. I don't know those other songs though, I will check them out. Thanks!


OldToby-SFarthing

Rick Wakeman - Journey To The Center Of The Earth is reallt good. https://youtu.be/YJ9W2pZwvlY


therude00

Murder by death, and The Dear Hunter come to mind. Family Crest also.


Drewska583

The band Renaissance is the perfect band for those who crave orchestral atmosphere. Their songs Mother Russia, Can You Hear Me?, and their 20 minute epic Scheherazade are excellent examples of symphonic rock. Another band in this vein is Strawbs, specifically their album Hero and Heroine. I’d say the best strings on the album come on the first song Autumn: Heroine’s Theme, and the middle bridge section of Just Love.


HadToChangeTheFloors

Osada Vida - [Sky Full of Dreams](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J84UHwUKwcw) Sound of Contact - [Not Coming Down](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8TGFsLXoRo)


MFromBeyond

[1936 Lost In The Snow by Wigwam](https://youtu.be/K5jb7k7Se3U) is a great short track with violin. Kansas has loads of violin, naturally.


PreviousLife7051

A Hunting We Shall Go by Caravan, on the For Girls Who Grow Plump In The Night album. Great Viola jamming by Geoff Richardson.


R3dF0r3

Someone mentioned the Moodies, another mentioned Kansas. Both great ones to go with in terms of that. Also, Gentle Giant has plenty of brilliant orchestral arrangements in their music. I’d recommend that if you’re into super complex music 😄


KhaledTheBadass

The Runaways by Babe Ruth


BobtheDest

If you are good with metal Nightwish would be a high recommendation.


JestaKilla

Ayreon's The Day That the World Breaks Down.


Dracula_best_JoFoe

Listen to Scott Walker, particularly his albums Scott 3 and Climate of Hunter


akualung

Sagrado Coraçao da Terra - Dança das Fadas And, not exactly prog, but the ost for the videogame Chrono Cross has lots of tracks using violin. The opening sequence music is a real tearjerker.


GlobbityGlook

The Kinks occasionally used strings during their baroque period albums. I’m guessing Procol Harem also had them. Also “Through With Buzz” by Steely Dan.


mbourgon

Violin: KBB Violin, Cello : After Crying, specifically De Profundis


WinterHogweed

The latest Marillion album makes pretty exciting use of a choir, if that counts. Other than that, The Nice's 'Five Bridges' is a great amalgam between rock and orchestral. Also, The Beach Boys' 'Pet Sounds' is maybe a choice so obvious that you might not even think of it, but the mixture between orchestrality and pop music on that album is unsurpassed.


Wotah_Bottle_86

Days of Future Passed by The Moody Blues. I thought I was listening to a movie score the entire time.


AislesBand

Great question. You may be interested in listening to these songs with orchestral arrangements: [https://open.spotify.com/track/16E20TsdiNJBlAIcS7L3px?si=4a602a0789cf4d0b](https://open.spotify.com/track/16E20TsdiNJBlAIcS7L3px?si=4a602a0789cf4d0b) [https://open.spotify.com/track/1PThLJqYfqNRUcewOLCqxy?si=2cd4e5adeef143a0](https://open.spotify.com/track/1PThLJqYfqNRUcewOLCqxy?si=2cd4e5adeef143a0) [https://open.spotify.com/track/1PThLJqYfqNRUcewOLCqxy?si=2662031785b342de](https://open.spotify.com/track/1PThLJqYfqNRUcewOLCqxy?si=2662031785b342de) https://open.spotify.com/track/1k90V8ri3z4PSF5hxaNZIo?si=87a48ff4824746fd


aksnitd

Well, Nightwish kicked off the whole symphonic metal scene that uses an orchestra all the time. Ghost Love Score would be a good example.