In the March issue of Relix, Bob Weir described an orchestral project that he intends to perform with the National Symphony Orchestra. The NSO has confirmed four dates for this collaboration, which will take place on Feb. 9, 10, 12, 13, 2022. For these shows, Steven Reineke will serve as conductor while Weir and Wolf Bros will be joined by The Wolpack, the string and brass quintet featuring Alex Kelly, Brian Switzer, Adam Theis, Mads Tolling, and Sheldon Brown.
In the Relix interview Weir explained what he hand in mind for the project:
“We’ve orchestrated the songs in a fashion where they can be employed modularly, so that, for instance, if we do a three-night run at one venue and then go to another venue, the songs won’t come in the same order. It’s going to be like all my bands do it—every night will be different. And we’re also working up some techniques to get a symphony orchestra improvising for long periods of time. Now, of course, most of what is played by the orchestra is going to be scored. But there are going to be long sections where we have section leaders who are given options. We need to practice it a little bit first, but the fact is that the performances of the songs will never be the same, either.”
“As part of that, we’re going to embed improv leaders in the orchestra, who can lead their sections. For instance, we’ve got a guy who’s a great cellist, and in the passages where we want to start looking into improvisation, he can lead the charge for that section. We’ve identified five people so far that we’re confident can do this, so we need to work with them as much as we can to get everybody on the same page when it comes to the improv. The five players that we have are quite good and they’re picking it up real quick. It’s sounding pretty plump and full when we try it with just 10 pieces. Frankly, it’s already sounding pretty enormous and I’m kind of happy with it.”
Tickets are now on sale through NSO subscription packages.
8 Comments comments associated with this post
Jabroni
July 19, 2021 at 1:06 amConcerts were gone for 18 months and people are already bitching.
Dustin Ryan Taylor
July 18, 2021 at 7:11 amYes all Bob Weirs bands including Dead and CO are incredibly to slow IMO. Go see JRAD and lets all pray to god that Billy and the KIDS tour because when i first saw them at Peach festie back in 2015 I was blown away at that first set but then WEIR came out after set break and then I left to get a good spot for LOTUS.
Loose Lucy
July 18, 2021 at 7:02 amHaha. Great stuff guys . The “acid test ” for me is two questions. Would i buy a ticket to see an act and would i travel to see an act. Wolf Brothers I absolutely buy a ticket. I would not board a plane to see them however. I like the change of pace jackass.
Napier Mcdougal
July 17, 2021 at 7:14 pmIgnore the previous comments as those people are not music fans sadly
DJ Damage
July 17, 2021 at 3:21 pmGotta hand it to ‘ol BFMcT! After being committed for trying to give that Hamptons waitress a Loose Lucy back in 2010, he’s been on Arthur’s act tear!
A true pioneer of the #WhyNotMeToo moment, he’s waivin’ the Black Peter high, loud, & proud!
Shout out to Dave the slave, wherever you are.
Good Lovin
July 17, 2021 at 3:08 pmWolf Brothers fuckin blow, end of story.Bob Weir’s approach to slow the tempo way down make it undanceable to say the very least.I would rather see any Dead cover band out there over these guys, and i will bitches.I would love to hear some comments,so bring it.And by the way,Dead and Company suck it even worse than Wolf Blowers.Go get some JRAD and dance to the music the way it was meant to be played.
me
July 17, 2021 at 9:54 pmHere’s a comment… do you kick sleeping dogs, kill kittens for fun or mock mentally challenged people? What a pussy move going after the low hanging fruit. Unless you’re 13, try acting like an adult. You get old, you slow down but you still love what you love. I’ve never been a “Deahead” but I can appreciate anyone who continues to challenge themselves WAY more than a self-centered asshole who can’t be a decent human being. Let us know the next time you book a gig at the Kennedy Center…
DustinT
July 18, 2021 at 7:12 ami completely agree my friend. tempo is so slow it puts me to sleep, plus his singing is horrible.