It’s unlikely that, in its 66 years in existence, the RTÉ Symphony Orchestra has had many audience members suddenly scream “ROCK THIS BITCH!” But for a Ben Folds gig, it’s business as usual.
The cry is a prompt for Folds to improvise a new song; it just doesn’t normally take arranging a full symphony orchestra too. It took a few minutes to get it all in order, but in the end Folds produced the goods. He always does.
The American singer-songwriter is no stranger to these shores, but this event promised to be different to what he has previously offered Irish audiences. An orchestral show, anchored by his own recently completed piano concerto, is a long way from the sweaty nights at Vicar Street.
Of course, Folds recognised that his adoring crowd would, perhaps, be a little unfamiliar with the nuances of classical music. “If you don’t know what a concerto is,” he explained, “Think a prog rock thing with three mini songs.”
For all the unmistakable passion he has for the project, the new work felt a little stilted. The musicianship was exceptional, and there were some impressive flourishes. One couldn’t but sense, however, that while an immensely talented pianist and a polished performer, Folds is now at his best in a more contemporary mode.
While plenty of the crowd had taken time to comb their beards and iron the wrinkles out of their plaid, they weren’t eager to see the birth of a new behemoth of the classical genre. They had come to see the Folds they knew and loved. In that respect, they wouldn’t leave disappointed.
Self-effacing and effortlessly charming, Folds has a command over his audience that other performers can only dream of having. Suited and booted, as the surroundings would demand, he littered the set – well over two hours in duration – with hits from his significant back catalogue. The orchestra was with him every step of the way.
It must be said that not every song suited its symphonic arrangement. ‘Effington’ lost some of its dynamism amongst the strings and reeds, and the normally divine ‘Brick’ proved to be too fragile to withstand the new additions.
When it worked, though, those minor issues were instantly overshadowed by pure brilliance. ‘One Angry Dwarf And 200 Solemn Faces’ was injected with even more vibrant energy than usual. ‘Landed’ was elevated by its delicate arrangement, and ‘Smoke’ sounded so unimaginably perfect with the orchestral accompaniment that it seems ludicrous that the song could ever have existed without it.
The night was rounded off with a note-perfect performance of ‘The Luckiest’ and a mass singalong to ‘Army’. It remains to be seen how long the orchestra remains part of the Ben Folds masterplan, but those in attendance certainly got what was advertised; an experience, and one that won’t quickly be forgotten.