He delivered a speech yesterday in Boston at America’s premier concert venue. Does he know what it’s for?
Has he ever been to a symphony concert?
Nixon used to. Even Clinton went now and then (under protest). Is Obama the first post-symphonic president?
UPDATE: I stand corrected by some of the comments below.
President Obama is an intelligent and educated man and I’m sure that he knows what is the primary function of Symphony Hall. (Only a sniping partisan would speculate to the contrary.) Whether he personally cares to attend symphony concerts is of little matter to me, a US citizen and orchestra conductor. It would be nice, sure, but if he opts out, he’s not alone nor would he be “the first post-symphonic president”. That title, whatever it really means, surely belongs to George W. Bush.
Since Nixon there have been seven US presidents, none of whom were particularly known for their attendance at public concerts. (Though Bill Clinton is knowledgeable and enthusiastic about great band literature.)
Actually, while I thought the John Williams piece played at the Obama inauguration was pretty slight, I appreciated the gesture very much, having survived the eight years in the cultural desert that was the GW Bush regime (leaving aside for now the moral and fiscal wasteland it represents.).
You, Eric, are not a sniping partisan? Bill Clinton at the Lady Gaga concert, I gather, is evidence of his superior musical taste.
Nope. Anyone can go to any concert they wish. And by attending, one is not making a statement about the relative merits of the performers. One is attending a concert – for any number of reasons. We can discuss the relative merits of Lady Gaga, too, but I have other things to do.
I know from conversation with a member of the Marine Band staff that President Clinton, while in office, on several occasions displayed detailed knowledge of band classics – certainly works he played in high school and college. Not every school band player retains such knowledge and enthusiasm.
Mr.Lebrecht’s speculations about President Obama’s understanding of the function of Symphony Hall seemed empty, that’s all.
Yes, I imagine he does know what it’s for. He’s actually performed with a symphony orchestra before, albeit as narrator. It was the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Here’s the evidence:
I don’t know about attending one, but he has performed at one – he narrated Copland’s Lincoln Portrait with the Chicago SO under William Eddins back in 2008, some months before he was elected.
I’m not sure about attending concerts, but Obama did appear with the Chicago Symphony in 2005 as the narrator in A Lincoln Portrait while he was still a senator. Here’s a clip: http://www.utne.com/Arts-Culture/Watch-Obama-Narrate-Coplands-Lincoln-Portrait.aspx
Here’s the conductor’s report on working with him: http://www.insidethearts.com/sticksanddrones/2008/02/02/billeddins/82/
Well, he narrated the Lincoln Portrait with the Chicago Symphony and conductor Bill Eddins in September 2005. Of course, he was still a Senator then…..
Norman – a little unfair. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTNv53j7fSo for his starring role in Copland’s Lincoln Portrait with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Yes he does.
I don’t think that Reagan or the two Bushes attended classical concerts. At least, Obama is highly articulate and comes across as cultivated.
More important, what is the point of seeing sitting heads of government attend classical concerts or opera, if they don’t do that before or after office? When the audience includes people who come for reasons other than listening to the music, I feel it, the artists feel it.
Reagan certainly did. At least on one occasion to hear his wife, Nancy, narrate Carnival of the Animals with Rostropovich leading the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center in 1983. The concert, which was broadcast on PBS, included Barber’s Adagio for strings and Tchaikovsky’s symphony no. 5.
Excuse me, Norman, but President Obama most certainly knows what Symphony Hall is for. Not only did he attend concerts at Orchestra Hall in Chicago (prior to being President), but he has performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra @ Millenium Park on 11 September, 2005. He narrated Lincoln Portrait of Mr. Copland. I know this because I conducted.
In the past, he has said he likes classical music and has said that he especially likes Bach. He has claimed he has Bach on his IPad (along with Miles Davis and some other stuff). Make of that what you will. The High School he attended (Punahou, in Honolulu) has a superb music program with an excellent orchestra, so he probably was at least exposed to classical music.
At least Obama can sing with style
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6uHR90Sq6k
unlike Romney, his opponent at the forthcoming election.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9Zp7hoqM0c
(If only the election were decided on musical criteria.)
Sorry, I meant IPod. Confusing out of date technologies with new ones!
Rumor has it the Obama went to Harvard which, I believe is very near Boston. The chances that this was his first visit to Symphony Hall are virtually nil. I remember a trio performing (we heard a recorded version on the air) at his inauguration (January 2009) made up a few rather well-known classical artists (one of whom is from Chicago and is principal clarinetist with the MET). And I don’t believe that Bill Clinton needed to be forced to like music. His performance on tenor sax on the Arsenio Hall show showed that he could at least toodle a tune.
Angela Merkel goes to Berlin Phil (at least the special concerts that are televised live), while Nicolas Sarkozy is reputed to have never attended a cultural event during his 5 years as President of France; but, I have personally seen other important French politicians at concerts and theater events, most without security surrounding them.
All of the above comments (except the original report) are on the mark, in my opinion.
Merkel has been to Bayreuth every year for many years, before she became Chancellor and since, when she not only attends in her “official” function, but also as a “private” individual too. So it doesn’t surprise me that she’s regularly at the Berlin Phil.
I’m sure her predecessor Gerhard Schröder wouldn’t have been seen dead at a classical concert or opera.
Same goes for Tony Blair, although having been out of Britain for so long, I’m sure you’ll all know better about that than I do.
Is David Cameron any better?
Similarly, in Austria, the current Chancellor Werner Faymann appears to be no fan of classical music or opera, while his predecessor Alfred Gusenbauer was a regular at the Musikverein and Staatsoper, as is former Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel.
A side note. Austrian-American Arnold Schwarzenegger is on record stating that he detests classical music and won’t give a penny of his many millions of dollars to support it.
In the past season, members of the National Symphony Orchestra led by its music director Christoph Eschenbach, performed at the Rose Garden at the White House for President Obama, Chancellor Angela Merkel and 100 other distinguished guests. Obama, who greeted each of us with a handshake earlier in the day, was in the first row and remained attentive throughout. I did see Michelle’s eyes close once or twice.
I watched Nancy Reagan ‘conduct’ the NO on Slava’s 60th birthday.
Just curious why you would even assume he’s never attended an orchestra concert before?
I’m still awaiting evidence, other than the Lincoln Portrait.
You’re not answering the question, though. Since you already have more evidence for Obama than you put forward for Nixon and Clinton (not a single concert cited for either one (though I’m sure they went to many orchestra concerts of course – it’s such a silly question in the first place), we’ll just have to assume that you’ve done the research on them as well. By all means take a look at his mixed performance with the NEA under his watch – but what you’re asking about here is pretty suspect.
More importantly Obama has not been trying to defund the arts nor make catty remarks about “elites” as have many of his Republican colleagues in meaningless attempts to “balance the budget” or appeal to vulgar and base qualities of certain Americans.As long as Obama maintains support for the National Endowment for the Arts, how he spends his evenings I don’t care.
Actually, President Obama’s NEA is diverting money away from classical music broadcasting and towards various forms of “new media” initiatives (none of which involve classical music). Norman blogged about it a few months ago. In some ways this bears out the label of “post-symphonic” president, more than what President Obama does in his spare time.
I’m good friends with a man who spent his career in “The President’s Own” Marine Band providing music to the White House and the nation as a whole. We’ve had very interesting conversations about the musical tastes of various presidents and Bill Clinton was, indeed, incredibly knowledgeable in music (especially the wind band repertoire, but also other genres).
Norman,
I was going to settle for “Not your finest moment” until your truly shameful “I’m still awaiting evidence” comment reply. Grotesque. Of course, Barack Obama has attended symphonic concerts and done so throughout his life. I’ve seen him at them in Chicago. Physical evidence? Well we don’t go snapping pictures of lay people or members of our Illinois State Senate when they are in Orchestra Hall for a performance and for some reason he neglected to hand me his purchase receipt or finger-printed ticket stubs.
Andrew Patner — Chicago
Andrew,
I admire your loyalty to your president and am grateful for your evidence that he has attended concerts in Chicago. I have amended the post accordingly.
That said, the question I posed remains a legitimate one. It was, until the Reagan presidency, a habit of most US presidents to attend symphony concerts for pleasure and relaxation rather than representational purposes.
That habit has died. There is no record of Bush or Obama dropping in at the Kennedy Center on a night off. If the nation’s leaders have lost interest, one cannot be surprised if the nation follows. That is the point I was heading towards, albeit in too terse a form.
Norman,
Personally I doubt the extent to which a leader influences the public by being genuinely interested in classical music or pretending to. But I’ll be happy to hear a different opinion.
Two former heads of state with a genuine interest in classical music were Edward Heath and Helmut Schmidt. Do you have an opinion on their impact?
I don’t know about Helmut Schmidt but I was on the receiving end of Heaths so called conducting,not a pleasant experience,he was hopeless,the problem was he thought he was good
Norman,
Let’s look at your above statement pragmatically. Considering that a couple of presidents have been shot since the 60s (yes there were some who got shot earlier too but that was in a different time period) and that Obama receives loads of death threats from crazed racist organizations, what do you think would happen if he visited the Kennedy Center regularly?
There would be massive traffic disruptions in already gridlocked Washington D.C. if he drove with his secret service motorcade in tow. I don’t know if the Kennedy Center could accommodate a landing by Marine One, but it might blow off some patron’s hats and raise a few skirts. Not the way to win votes.
Then imagine what would happen to the access to the concert hall and stage. The entire orchestra going through metal detectors. “I’m sorry Sir, but you’ll have to remove those strings and put them in a separate tray along with your belt and shoes.” Dogs sniffing through the rows of seats before the concert, agents in dark glasses standing along the walls and snipers on the Kennedy Center’s roof. The orchestra and management would go totally nuts if this occurred on all but very rare circumstances.
I have had the PITA of hosting a high profile VIP at a concert once, and I can tell you it was no pleasure at all even though the security was minimal compared to what follows POTUS.
It’s a very good thing for audiences and staff at the Kennedy Center that the sitting President doesn’t just drop in on a night off. Do you have any idea what onerous security procedures are put in place at any venue the President visits? Basically, the entire building gets searched top to bottom for explosives or other weapons and every single individual in or near the building gets screened more thoroughly than passengers at the strictest US airport. On top of that, all road traffic on the route to and from the venue is completely blocked so that no one can shoot at the President’s car or crash his own vehicle into it.
Perhaps David Cameron may be able to pop into the Royal Opera House or the Barbican if he’s so inclined; Barack Obama has no such luxury.
President Obama has spoken in the past of not going to church regularly in Washington precisely because all the security measures would completely disrupt the worship service. A Presidential visit may be an honor, but it’s also a monumental headache.
Good for you Norman for not giving Obama a free pass. I’m sure many (though not many of those commenting here) would agree, it’s blindly following ideology and the party line at the expense of logic and reason that has killed off democracy. Since when should any POTUS be immune from questioning of his choices?
Oh, come on. What, was he there to raise money, or shake hands? I’m with you, Norman. I’d need a little more evidence myself. I DO know his wife visits our public schools to teach rap dances to school kids, and that they both consider Beyonce the highest form of musical art! I think you Obama worshipers are the most boring people in the world. It’s like a religion for you. Face the fact: Obama wouldn’t be caught dead dropping into the Kennedy Center for a concert on a night off (which would be most nights for him). But he’d sure fly Air Force One to Atlantic City for Beyonce, oh yeah!
Point well-taken, Norman. As per usual, you are correct on what matters most.
Norman,
Thanks for your reply and your amendment.
Andrew Patner — Chicago
Gregg, have you spoken similar words about the obviously culturally ignorant G.W.Bush during his tenure? Compared to the Bushes the Obamas come across as culturally quite refined.
Go back to your cave.
Point well-taken, Wanderer. But why the need for the last line?
You are right. Sorry about that. Now please go back to your mansion.
If only!
Thanks, W.
Obama may not get out to the Ken Cen often but he does the next best thing: he brings classical music in. The White House has hosted numerous classical music oriented events, from performances by Josh Bell to student recitals.
Here’s a YouTube link to one of the concerts at the White House. A nice mixture of kids and adults.
This is good. I’ve learned some things (like classical music in the White House) I was completely unaware of.
These things matter. I’m just very passionate about classical music, that’s all. If I came on too strong, I apologize. We all have things we can learn. But I think we could still do more!
What possible difference does it make if President Obama – or any president for that matter – attends concerts or is even interested in classical music? What does that have to do with how well or badly they carry out their duties? Nowhere in Article II of the Constitution of the United States does it say that the president is the Arts Patron in Chief.
Of course any president would be better off as a person for listening to classical music but to think that they’ll be a better Chief Executive for doing so is simply ludicrous.
During coverage following President Obama’s inauguration, when Obama was asked about the singers who had performed, he said he was happy to see Renee Fleming because, “I have her on my iPod.” It has been widely discussed and a number of reporters have questioned her about it. This was before the pop crossover CD, so he does regularly listen to classical music – or regularly enough to have it on the iPod.
The new White House initiative to partner classical musicians with elementary schools in order to use music education to improve academic performance is a wonderful step. I hope it will provide further evidence of the importance of music to the positive development of children.
Look to the First Ladies when it comes to support of the arts in the White House. They fill the traditional role of ambassadors and supporters of arts & culture.
Setting political vitriol aside, let’s look into a very narrow and specific question: did either Bush or Obama attend the symphony and if yes how many times, shall we? Let’s start . I purposely eliminate from the search conditions when it is the orchestra that comes to president ( Bush subjected to Bejing Symphony concert, National Symphony used as a background music provider to impress White House visitors ranging from Prime-minister of India and Angela Merkel to various “celebs” attending Obama state dinner ).
Very straight-forward Google search ” Bush attends symphony” yields following:
1.Attended Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra debut at Kennedy Center
2.Attended Children’s Symphony Orchestra of Mexico at Kennedy Center ( both kids and maestra conductor invited later to White House )
3.Attended “Concert of America” , National Symphony multi-media project broadcast by NBC and PBS
4.Attended Virginia Symphony Orchestra ( more about this concert later)
4 is bad for a basketball score but not so shabby for football
Let’s do the same search for “Obama attends symphony”. Since he was in White House for one term I added search from 2004 when he was Illinois senator , already a media darling + having a benefit of one of world’s top orchestras in his backyard.
A funny and witty report from CNN :
1. Symphony Hall in Boston last week – it is all over in news with many comments.
2. Narrating “Lincoln Portrait” at Chicago in 2005
None of above technically qualifies for “attended” – Boston visit was not to listen to music, Chicago – well, it’s what most politicians , big and small, do to “reach” the concert-going donors, affluent and aged lot. It is not a concert attendance but sheer pandering , whether coming from Bush or emanating from Obama. ( I once was a semi-unwilling participant in “Carnival of Animals” narrated by California senator. Talking about double meanings…)
So here we have 4:2 in Bush favor. Obama can claim additional points by having whole symphonies inspired by him and his wife ( see “Michelle Obama Symphony” – in six movements, on YT, or “Dreams of my Father” arranged for orchestra, soloists and choir…). Bush gets bonus points too : by attending a choral society concert and – hold on – an organ recital! How many can boast of these feats?:-)
A tie-breaker – see Bush conducting – senza teleprompter
http://youtu.be/ALi8wy85EUU
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALi8wy85EUU&w=480&h=360
spaseba, Val!
Bush just insinuated himself into the proceedings with “Stars and Stripes”. He waved the baton around out of tempo. Kissed JoAnn Falletta on top of the head. Not intended as a patronizing gesture, I’m sure.
Okay…I can’t stand Bush, I really like Obama. Bush and his party represent the worst in American anti-intellectualism while Obama impresses me with his ability to articulate complicated ideas. His singing voice is good, and favors urban pop – it’s what he grew up with.
So?
Thanks to Petros Linardos and Andrew Patner for your comments and to Reggie Bernstein for his comment about the First Ladies. I remember when Jackie Kennedy woke the nation up to culture in general and to the arts (especially classical music, ballet, and painting) in particular.
Presidents have varied widely in their musical tastes and abilities. The first “post-symphonic President” would probably be Ulysses S. Grant (or would that be “pre-Symphonic?) who was apparently tone deaf and said ” I know two pieces of music-one is the Star Spangled Banner and the other isn’t!”.
The last three Presidents have all been innately musical. I have watched many people who bought a chance to conduct a Symphony Orchestra, and both Clinton and Bush seemed to be more intrinsically musical than most-they could keep time, unlike, for example, poor Shaquille O’Neal http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoyiR3ob7yk. As for Obama, his singing is quite musical. He probably knows less than Clinton about music, who has “a music room” in his house, designated September “classical music month” and was able to accurately fill in a space in a crossword puzzle when the clue was “The mezzo-soprano role in Aida”.
Ruth Slenczynska tells an amusing anecdote about Harry Truman. She says she ushered in great secrecy to the White House, and then led to a room where all the President’s staff was seated. The President comes in, and after greeting Madame Slenczynska, puts the music to a Mozart Four Hand Sonata in front of her and says “let’s play this!”. They did, and apparently, he played pretty well. He then stood up and said to the assembled staff-”see? I really can play the piano!”