Seattle Tattle—Part II: Bobby McFerrin Makes Symphony-Goers Happy

Having bestowed my Saturday NY Philharmonic tickets upon my semi-grateful son, I had to get my classical-music fix last weekend in Seattle. As it happened, the Seattle Symphony (with the obligatory Chihuly chandelier, above, in its lobby) was being fronted by Bobby McFerrin in a program of three classical warhorses plus his own vocal improvisations.
Now I know McFerrin has had a long, distinguished career in both jazz and classical (having conducted the San Francisco Symphony, NY Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, LA Philharmonic and London Philharmonic, among others) but I have to admit that my only previous encounter with his artistry was the famous cheer-up anthem, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” (which he assiduously eschewed during Friday’s performance).
He conducted deftly, in defiantly informal attire (loose-fitting short-sleeved shirt; very slack slacks), without podium or music. One can only wonder whether he prepares the orchestra by “performing” the entire program, percussion and all, with his fearsomely versatile vocal instrument. It seems entirely possible.
He broke standard symphonic protocol from the get-go, with a jaunty salute to the audience as he took the stage. Soon he broke the fourth wall, by whirling around when lusty applause broke out after the first movement of Prokofiev‘s “Classical” Symphony:
Shhhh! Three more to go!
There was a pleasing flow and silken sound to his takes on Prokofiev, Ravel (“Tombeau de Couperin”) and Beethoven (the 8th). In his solo segment, he vocalized in multiple genres: country, pop, and television and movie music, not to mention classical. His performance was never short of astounding and often manically amusing.
He also proved that classical music audiences make great choristers. But I couldn’t quite bring myself to take up his mischievous suggestion that the Jews in the hall sing (accompanied by his Bach counterpoint) Gounod‘s “Ave Maria” as “Oy Vay, Maria.”
We now know that the Philharmonic has been turned down by Riccardo Muti and Daniel Barenboim in its search for a new music director, and is looking to hire not only a director but also a principal conductor to add “a collaborative voice and, potentially, excitement,” as Daniel Wakin of the NY Times recently reported.
I’m not sure he’s the kind of excitement they’re looking for, but McFerrin was a blast of classical fresh air. The kids (one of whom burst into delighted smiles when he waved to her during his exit) seemed enthralled, even during the Beethoven. Maybe they just have longer attention spans in Seattle.