Beck is getting the classical treatment he truly deserves

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By the turn of the millennium, there was a fusion of two distinct music genres – rock and symphony – that took the country by storm. This occurred when city symphonies started inviting famous rock bands to perform on their stages, creating an entirely new form of entertainment and cultural experience: orchestral rock concerts.

Occasionally, it featured instrumentation found on bands’ albums, often with additional classical arrangements, while other times it enriched their standard rock ‘n’ roll sound. However, it consistently served as an ornamentation that attracted younger audiences to symphony halls and provided a connection for older people to the contemporary music scene.

This summer, Beck, a popular artist from the 90’s who continues to thrive, has scheduled a nine-show orchestral tour across eight cities. Known for his use of orchestral elements, having collaborated with his father and composer David Campbell on albums like Sea Change and Morning Phase, Beck intends to perform some of these songs live. However, he also plans to play tracks from his albums Odelay and Mutations, as well as other hits, for audiences gathering in symphony halls nationwide.

Beck is used to melding alternative rock with classical music

It’s no wonder that Beck, who used to seamlessly blend alternative rock and hip hop in his early works, is extending his musical boundaries even further. Last year, he successfully conducted symphonic performances at Carnegie Hall with a 73-piece orchestra, giving us a hint of his growing confidence as he prepares for these upcoming shows.

In a surprising turn of events at the 2015 Grammys, Beck’s most intimately crafted album, titled Morning Phase,, earned him a Grammy award. This was unusual as previous albums showcased his signature edgy tricks, but this one did not.

Beck isn’t simply a passing trend; instead, his symphonic concerts serve as evidence that music is a significant part of who Beck is. If fortune smiles upon you and you happen to reside in one of the cities he’s performing in or can travel there, these shows promise an experience you wouldn’t want to miss.

Beck is an invaluable asset to our country, and as venues like the Kennedy Center bid farewell to esteemed classical musicians such as Ben Folds, it becomes even more crucial to foster and encourage artists who strive to construct bonds rather than erect obstacles in the realm of music. The musical landscape has evolved into a rich blend of genres over the past half-century, and Beck has consistently been at the forefront of this multicultural movement.

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2025-03-09 16:00