Béla Fleck: How to Write a Banjo Concerto

In their collaborative documentary, noted banjo master Béla Fleck and his brother, Sascha Paladino, document Fleck's process of writing a classical concerto to perform with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra (Paladino previously directed Throw Down Your Heart [VL-1/10] about Fleck's travels in Africa). In tracing his classical roots, Fleck notes that his birth father named him after composer Béla Bartók, but he is closer to his stepfather, classical musician Joe Paladino. Fleck has also written concertos with renowned cellist Edgar Meyer, but even though he enjoyed working with Meyer and tabla player Zakir Hussain on their triple concerto, he did not appreciate how the classical world attributed primary authorship to Meyer when all three contributed equally. Fleck begins writing the new concerto in 2010, preparing for a performance the following year. For inspiration, he turns to Bartók, a composer he had never really considered before, largely due to the association with his absentee father (whom Fleck met for the first time when the musician was in his 40s). Fleck also travels to Oregon and Mexico for writing sessions, meets with the orchestra principals, and consults with fellow artists, including Chick Corea, banjo legend Earl Scruggs, and banjo player Abigail Washburn (who is married to Fleck). From there, Fleck moves on to rehearsals, which don't always go smoothly, although the eventual performance of The Impostor is sold-out (Paladino includes excerpts from the live telecast). Offering an insightful look at the creative process, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)