I enthusiastically second (or third, whatever) the Final Fantasy recommendation. It's like the best prog rock ever, except with all classical instruments. Or it's like excellent (reasonably tonal) modern "classical", except that it's pop songs. Or something. Other artists (like Gentle Giant, Ian Anderson/Jethro Tull, and probably about half of the artists on ReR) have done stuff a bit like it in isolation, but never consistently. (Most of them usually use more rock-oriented instrumentation.) Probably the closest thing I'd previously heard to an entire album in this style is Elvis Costello's stuff with string quartet, but Final Fantasy is way better. Seriously.
(This is after one listen-- if I change my opinion I'll let you know.)
no subject
(This is after one listen-- if I change my opinion I'll let you know.)