Thirty DJs have come together in Tokyo to create the world’s first turntable orchestra. The Philharmonic Turntable Orchestra (PTO) was created by the Panasonic Corporation to celebrate the 70th anniversary of 12” LPs.
The ensemble remixed classical repertoire using techniques such as scratching, beat juggling, and drumming. Recordings of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, Rossini’s Valse Torture and Paganini’s Caprices for Solo Violin, Op 1 were all featured under the theme ‘rediscover music’.
They also made use of Mendelssohn’s Concerto in E Minor, which was the very first 12” LP pressed by Columbia Records. That recording was made by New York Philharmonic with soloist Nathan Milstein under the baton of Bruno Walter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=JGWuyMKT8wU
PTO featured top mix artists such as DJ Kentaro, DJ Qbert, DJ Swamp, DJ D-styles, DJ Switch, DJ Izoh and DJ Ken-one. It also included 13-year-old DJ Rena, the reigning – and youngest ever – DMC DJ World Champion.
As for equipment, the ensemble made use of Panasonic’s Technics SL-1200 turntable, first launched in 1972 and a favourite with DJs.
