Ian Anderson to play Tull favorites at MCA in Orono

Ian Anderson would deny that he’s too old to rock ‘n’ roll.

Anderson, the voice and flute behind Jethro Tull, is now touring with classical musicians in “The Orchestral Jethro Tull.” The show, which comes tonight to the Maine Center for the Arts in Orono, features Tull favorites, Anderson solo songs and instrumentals, and a sprinkling of classical repertoire, all arranged for amplified flute, acoustic rock band and symphony musicians. Among the Tull songs to be played will be “Aqualung,” “Locomotive Breath,” “Thick as a Brick,” “My God,” “Bouree” and “Budapest.”

“The object here is not to force together unlikely combatants in unholy musical matrimony,” Anderson has explained. “As the acoustic musician of Jethro Tull, I prefer a more sympathetic synthesis of classical and acoustic guitar, piano and sympathetic percussion, drums and bass together with the traditional orchestral instruments. This is a more ambient setting where all of the musicians can leave the theater with both eardrums and dignity intact. We try for a vigorous rock feel without brute force volume.”

Anderson, 59, plays about 100 dates a year with his Tull mates. The rest of the time he spends with Shona, his wife of 27 years, at their farm in southwestern England, where he has a recording studio and office. He also spends time with his hobbies, which include the growing of many varieties of hot chile peppers, the study and conservation of the 26 species of small wildcats of the world and collecting and using vintage Leicas and other cameras.

Anderson doesn’t consider what he’s doing to be living in the past. He has vowed to continue performing and recording “as long as it remains a challenge and my health permits. One year, 10 years – who knows? Then there are painting, writing and other creative indulgences to consider. Which will go first: the eyes, ears or the hands? Fear of boredom in old age is my greatest concern.”

Tickets to “Orchestral Jethro Tull” are available at the Maine Center for the Arts box office by calling 581-1755 or online at www.mainecenterforthearts.org.