What do you do when you have to play Copland outdoors in 20-degree weather, moments before the inauguration of a new president?
Well lip-sync it of course!
Silly me, twittering "wow those guys are good!" while they performed. From the NY Times:
“I really wanted to do something that was absolutely physically and emotionally and, timing-wise, genuine,” Mr. Ma said. “We also knew we couldn’t have any technical or instrumental malfunction on that occasion. A broken string was not an option. It was wicked cold.”Granted. But couldn't they put up a mini-tent with outdoor heaters to solve the problem?
It's reminiscent of the mini-controversy of the little girl at the Olympics, though at least the Inaugural players on stage were the same as those on the hard drive. (Here's the performance...)
Still, I feel a bit deflated. We sacrifice real artistry for a safe, no-risk, faux performance. Where is the danger, the thrill? Wouldn't the audience be far more astounded knowing these guys have to not screw up in front of tens of millions?
And a lot good it did them. Right after they finished, Chief Justice Roberts and President Obama managed to mangle their lines.
Guess they'll be lip-syncing the Presidential oath of office next time.
