MUSIC REVIEW: Celebrating 125 years of the Boston Pops Orchestra

Submitted by Lesley Ann Beck on July 4, 2010 - 2:00pm

Classical Music

Tanglewood

Route 183

Lenox, Mass.

Boston Pops 125^th Anniversary Celebration

Keith Lockhart conducting

July 2, 2010

Reviewed by Lesley Ann Beck

On Friday evening, the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, with Keith Lockhart on the podium, delivered a delightful smorgasbord of music, honoring Arthur Fiedler and John Williams, with guest turns by Doc Severinson, Idina Menzel, and pianist Michael Chertoff, all to mark the 125^th anniversary of ?America?s orchestra.? It was a marvelous evening at Tanglewood: the musicians were in fine form for a wide-ranging display of the music that has made the Pops such a beloved institution, and the weather was absolutely perfect.

The program was divided into three sections; the first included some of the compositions for which Fiedler was known; the second honored the contributions of John Williams, Pops laureate conductor and Tanglewood artist-in-residence; and the third featured progamming representative of Keith Lockhart?s tenure; he has been the Pops conductor for fifteen years.

The orchestra opened with the National Emblem March by E.E. Bagley; it?s lively, bright, and very reminiscent of Fiedler; it?s a fine showcase for the brass section. Next up was the Light Cavalry Overture by Franz von Supp?; this old-fashioned piece of music, written in 1866 as part of an operetta, might be called a warhorse (it includes some very famous and familiar passages that have been used to score many, many cartoons and movies), but it was played well and was thoroughly enjoyable.

Lockhart spoke for a minute about the origins of the Pops, founded in 1885; there have been twenty conductors, the first seventeen of those in the first 45 years. Arthur Fiedler (Lockhart credits him with a ?flair for showmanship?) was the first American-born conductor, leading the Pops for fifty years, from 1930 until his death in 1979. Fiedler played music that could be enjoyed by everyone, and Friday's concert certainly continued that tradition.

Trumpeter Doc Severinson, longtime Tonight Show bandleader, continues to be a frequent guest at Pops concerts, and he made a splashy entrance in a black sequined tuxedo jacket and a bright red and yellow shirt. He performed Ode to Doc, variations on Beethoven?s Ninth Symphony by Steven Reineke. Severinson played trumpet solos over a classical version of the "Ode to Joy" theme, then a jazzier version, and finally a full-bore big-band swing take on the familiar melody: it was terrific, and Severinson sounded great.

The next piece played by the orchestra was? Jalousie,? a tango by Jacob Gade (who was a Danish composer) which was recorded by the Pops with Arthur Fiedler back in 1935, and became the first million-selling classical recording. Friday?s sultry performance featured Tamara Smirnova on violin.

Then came the novelty composition called ?Typewriter? by Leroy Anderson, which incorporates the percussion section sounding like typewriter keys and bells; fun.

The first half ended magnificently with Michael Chertock on piano for George Gershwin?s Rhapsody in Blue. Between Chertock and the orchestra, all the colors and textures of this iconic composition were beautifully expressed.

After the intermission, Lockhart paid tribute to John Williams, playing Olympic Fanfare and Theme; Flying Theme from E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial; and the Main Title from Star Wars. The Olympic theme is magnificent; the snippet we are used to hearing on television does not do justice to this sweeping composition, and it was a treat to hear it performed live. Same thing with the film selections; it is such a pleasure to hear them as stand-alone compositions.

The first choice from the portion of the concert that represented Lockhart?s leadership was the overture to Candide by Leonard Bernstein; it is a delight to hear it played by a full orchestra, giving full expression to the layers and textures of the music.

Then Lockhart, very much a showman himself, introduced Tony Award-winning Broadway star Idina Menzel. She was definitely one of the highlights of the evening, delivering a memorable, though brief, set of three songs. Gorgeous in a strapless blue evening gown, performing at Tanglewood for the first time, she launched into a number called ?The Life of the Party,? that showcased her glorious voice and her unerring ability to connect with her audience. She then performed ?Another Day? from Rent, her first big show, and followed that with a song that she said ?doesn?t need much of an introduction. I?ll just say ? I like it.? And of course, that song was ?Defying Gravity? from Wicked, and it was fabulous.

The concert came to a rousing end with a Beatles sing-along, from "Sergeant Pepper" to "Twist and Shout" and finally "Yellow Submarine." A Pops performance is always fun, and Friday?s event was no exception. For the encore, Lockhart finished with a Pops signature piece perfect for the weekend of the Fourth: "Stars and Stripes Forever" by John Philips Sousa, which had the whole audience enthusiastically clapping along. Linda Toote, Ann Bobo, and Cynthia Meyers delivered the fabulous piccolo star turn to huge applause. It was a terrific evening at Tanglewood.

Lesley Ann Beck is managing editor of and a critic-at-large for Berkshire Living.

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