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Ben Folds Turns Orchestras Into Rock Bands

Posted by Arts Desk , October 28, 2009

While it might not appear to be the case, musician Ben Folds concedes he wasn't entirely comfortable playing the piano in front of an orchestra at first. That's because growing up in North Carolina, playing percussion in orchestras, he never dreamed he'd be the headliner.

But several successful albums later, including this year's "Ben Folds Presents: University A Cappella," his latest tour includes a series of performances with some of the nation's leading orchestras.

Folds spoke with Jeffrey Brown at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., at the start of the tour:

Watch the full interview below:

Comments

Posted:
10/28/09 at
08:11 PM

Stacie : Seen this on TV. It was fantastic!! Ben Folds is the greatest musican of all times. :) Thanks for having him on the show.
Posted:
10/28/09 at
08:21 PM

Joyce Hillson : Jeffrey Brown's interview and accompanying video used in broadcast is the best representation of Ben Fold's work to date. Clearly Ben uses layers of talent in his body of work and his fan base can only multiply as word gets out about him! Thanks!
Posted:
10/28/09 at
08:24 PM

Ben (not Folds) : Ben is definitely breaking the mold with this venture and it's hard to believe he is finding fans with the orchestral preferring audience. Being an early-day Ben Folds fan, I have to say I like the old piano band stuff the best. I am interested in hearing the classical music fans opinion of him and feelings on seeing him invade their stage.
Posted:
10/28/09 at
09:58 PM

Bill Kane : Enjoyed the interview and love the music! My whole family has enjoyed Ben's music for years.
Posted:
10/28/09 at
10:01 PM

Trashhook : Yeah Ben! His show with the Spokane Symphony was fantastic.
Posted:
10/28/09 at
11:19 PM

melbov : It is a fine thing when the teens, 20 somethings and 50 somethings all enjoy the same performer. My kids will sit at the piano to play their own renditions of his music. Yeh we're all nerds.
Posted:
10/29/09 at
12:29 AM

kElly gEsT : It is really something else to watch Ben play the piano. He is an amazing musician and entertainer for people of all ages to enjoy! Rock on Ben!! Pleasure watching him on the show!
Posted:
10/29/09 at
03:33 AM

mosesinmb2 : True blue fan...to me Ben Folds tops Elton John & Billy Joel on the piano........great interview.....
Posted:
10/29/09 at
03:56 AM

goldcoaster : Ben folds is horrible.. pbs has really lost touch with the rest of us, with political views and music tastes..
Posted:
10/29/09 at
08:48 AM

Jewelry design : Great post =]
Posted:
10/29/09 at
10:17 AM

briarbend : Loved this - both the music, and the man. Then he said at the end of his interview that they go out on the road and there are "copious amounts of drugs". I wanted so much to believe in his work that I tried to hear it as referring to the crowds. I'm sorry I heard that - for me he is not the leader of the underdogs regardless of the interesting turn in music,
Posted:
10/29/09 at
10:38 AM

Art Beat Editor : briarbend, Ben Folds was most definitely joking about the "copious amounts of drugs," making fun of the rock star lifestyle. Trust us.
Posted:
10/29/09 at
10:45 AM

Kate : AHHHH this was so great. He's brilliant! Thank you
Posted:
10/29/09 at
12:51 PM

Jayne : Ben Folds is playing in Madison, WI on Friday the 30th in the Overture Center for the Performing Arts's Overture Hall...an awesome theater that sits about 2,200. The acoustics are 5 Star! http://www.overturecenter.com/production/ben-folds Please come...we'd love to have you join us! Jayne Mullins, Usher (who won't be there but hey, would be if I could! ).
Posted:
10/29/09 at
04:36 PM

Erica : I was at the Kennedy Center show... it was so incredible. He is absolutely the best musician EVER in concert. Truly amazing. Wish he would put out more DVDs so that I could watch a concert from him whenever I wanted...
Posted:
10/30/09 at
12:23 AM

phexus : Yup, saw him with the Spokane Symphony, was AMAZING!!
Posted:
10/30/09 at
04:37 PM

Linda : Ben and his brother Chuck are both very talented guys. http://www.chuckfolds.com/bigbangboom.html
Posted:
11/ 2/09 at
02:16 PM

Molly : Great interview. I am seeing him this Thursday! I'm so excited.
Posted:
11/ 2/09 at
03:59 PM

Barth : This was a great interview and what Ben is doing, and what his occasional partner, Regina Spektor is also doing (she is traveling now with a full string quartet) is bringing some of what comes from classical music to pop---the device the Boston Pops have used for years, but updated. This is exciting and wonderful. And if Regina, Ben and the others traveling in this world are to be called nerds, so be it. Thanks to the NewsHour for bringing this development the attention it deserves.

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