Prince was a master at blending musical styles. Not only was he equally adept at composing and performing rock, pop, funk, jazz and blues, in many of his songs — and extended concert jams — he freely transitioned from one genre to another. His musical palette was limitless.
This universality of the late iconic musician’s talent will come to the fore when a full symphony orchestra interprets and performs a diverse selection from Prince’s body of work this Friday, May 10, at Jacobs Music Center’s Copley Symphony Hall.
Dubbed “4U: The Music of Prince with Symphony ” the show was curated by avid Prince fan Questlove (of The Roots — Jimmy Fallon’s house band) and long-time Prince arranger Brent Fischer. Featuring both well-known hits from “Controversy” to “Purple Rain” and deeper cuts such as “Venus De Milo” and “Starfish and Coffee,” the “4U” show aims to put a spin on Prince’s catalog like never heard before.
In addition to the symphony orchestra, the production includes a live band with world-class musicians and vocalists, and state-of-the-art visual content provided by The Prince Estate, which will be displayed on two big screens. What it WON’T feature — perhaps to many fans’ delight — is an impersonating singer or disturbing hologram (no offense, Tupac and MJ). As the only official estate-approved symphonic tribute to Prince’s music in the world, “4U” is focused on celebrating The Purple One’s enduring creativity.
This special event comes on the heels of CELEBRATION 2019, which honored Prince’s legacy April 25-28 at the artist’s home and recording studio, Paisley Park, just outside Minneapolis. And fans can rejoice over numerous new Prince-related products set to come out this year — from the album Originals (featuring Prince’s versions of songs he gave to other artists) to his official memoir and a book of unreleased lyrics and poetry.
Tickets for “4U: The Music of Prince with Symphony,” which is produced by Live Nation Urban and TCG Entertainment, can be purchased from the Jacobs Music Center Ticket Office (619-235-0804) and through Ticketmaster.
Donovan Roche has covered the world of music for the past 30 years. Send your story idea to droche17@cox.net.