God Loves Jazz, Too

The Dave Brubeck Quartet performed at UB's Center for the Arts last night to an almost-sold-out-house. Their rendition of "Over the Rainbow" was lovely, and Bobby Militello's flute solo was superb--the best fluting I've ever heard methinks. Also, "Take Five" and "London Flat, London Sharp" were highlights of the first half. Problem was, Brubeck is 84 (celebrates 85 this December) and looks/sounds like he's 104. His banter was slow while he caught his breath - but, I was able to deduce that this is the Quartet's penultimate (love that word) concert in the States before a tour of Europe. I hope he makes it as far as Warsaw ("We could go further, but we know better" he quipped.) Although, once he's sitting down at the keys, you'd never know how old he was. He plays geniusly.

The second half was, well, different. His "Pange Lingua" variations should not be coupled with his jazz tunes. That's a problem I've found, well, at least in Buffalo. When the BPO hosts guests (Bernadette Peters and Patti Lupone, for example), they spend half the concert doing pieces the audience didn't come there to hear - and then we get the bread and butter for only half the time, but still for our full ticket price. A funny way of doing business if you ask me. "Pange Lingua" was good when it was good, but definitely not when it wasn't, although it did remind me how much I do love choral works (i.e.: the Messiah). But, as Brubeck himself hinted at, the masterworks should be left to the masters (Mozart, Beethoven) and perhaps Brubeck should just stick to some good ol' fashioned jazz.

Lastly, a note on people. They suck. Strange whooping noises from the top of the balcony, cell phones ringing during the sets, applause between movements, and, perhaps my worst pet peeve - standing ovations. How many productions have I been to recently that definitely did not deserve a standing ovation? Come on, folks. It's not a requirement to stand and applaud - I feel better when there's no pressure to have to stand up. If I don't enjoy something, aren't I allowed to simply sit quietly and clap with my knees bent? What is this strange force that makes people STAND WITHOUT A PURPOSE?! Christ. Standing ovations are meant to be special rewards, to be used sparingly as a sign of a truly great stage performance. When the general population hands them out like penny candy, they lose all meaning, and so too does the population. If we stand for everyone, how are we to reward true greatness?