Rock musicians and symphony orchestras don’t seem like natural bedfellows. Musically, temperamentally, sartorially … they don’t seem to be from the same planet. When was the last time you heard of an oboist hurling a TV set into a hotel swimming pool?

That said, when the worlds of classical and rock collide, it can occasionally produce some fascinating sparks – or at least a very loud bang.

Buckle up, scroll down and enjoy Limelight’s picks of the best (and sometimes just the bravest) rock-meets-classical experiences.

Deep Purple: Concerto for Group and Orchestra

Heavy metal pioneers Deep Purple sailed into uncharted waters in 1969 when the band took to the stage of London’s Royal Albert Hall to play and record with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Malcolm Arnold.

Armed with compositions by the band’s keyboardist Jon Lord – a classically trained pianist who was set to enter the Royal College of Music before he chose another path – Concerto for Group and Orchestra was born from a chance encounter. Deep Purple’s publisher, Ben Nisbet, was a friend of Malcolm Arnold and Arnold...