Roving Pittsburgher Report: A Resounding Musical Pastiche of Not-To Be Forgotten Hollywood’s Good Guys and Bad Guys by the PNC Pops

Title
Review of _Heroes and Villains at the Pittsburgh Symphony 
From:  Roving Pittsburgher Report and PositivePittsburghLiveMagazine.com
Written By:  Hank Walshak

Heroes and Villains

A Resounding Musical Pastiche of Not-To Be Forgotten

Hollywood’s Good Guys and Bad Guys by the PNC Pops

By

Hank Walshak

Even the most demanding film buff had to be pleased with Heroes and Villains, Conductor Lucas Richman’s October 18 pastiche of film-music nostalgia. OK, to be more specific, the 18 pieces on the Heroes and Villains program carried me back to Hollywood’s depictions of the good guys and the bad guys in films.

Lucas Richman via Pittsburgh Symphony blog

What was not to like? The opening piece, Rossini’s “Finale” to the William Tell Overture, launched long-forgotten memories of that good guy, the Lone Ranger. The program’s conclusion, “The Imperial March” by John Williams from Star Wars, recalled the frightening presence of that bad guy, Darth Vader, from Star Wars.

Musical master, Richman, lived up to his conducting  and recording reputation for film scores like the Academy Award nominated, The Village, As Good As it Gets, Face/Off,  Se7en, Breakdown, The Manchurian Candidate, and Kim Kittredge: An American Girl. In 2010, at the request of John Williams, Richman led the three-month tour of Star Wars in Concert.

To add to our pleasure, Richman introduced each piece and flavored his articulation with descriptions of the many artists he‘d worked with over the years.

The PNC Pops was in ultra-fine fiddle, if I may say so, playing a variety of musical memory rousers. These included not-to-be-forgotten masterpieces like the “Parade of Champions” from Ben Hur, the “Love Theme” from The Godfather, and music highlights from Rocky.   I remembered how Bernard Herrmann’s slicing and chilling “Narrative for String Orchestra” from Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho. frightened me away from taking showers, but for a short time only.

Sheena Easton, vocalist

The highpoint of Heroes and Villains came in the presence and vocal mastery of Sheena Easton. I loved her rendition of “Nobody Does It Better” by Marvin Hammlisch from The Spy Who Loved Me and Bill Conti’s “For Your Eyes Only” from the movie For Your Eyes Only.

A six-time Grammy nominee in the US, Easton is a two-time Grammy Award winner, winning Best New Artist in 1981 and Best Mexican-American Performance in 1985, for her duet with Luis Miguel on the song "Me Gustas Tal Como Eres". And let’s not forget that she’s sold more than 20-million albums and singles worldwide.

“Heroes and Villains” presented my first opportunity to listen to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Student Chorale, whose members include young men and women vocalists in grades 10 and 12 and college singers.

What a treat it was to hear their youthful voices interpret John Williams’s pieces—“Battle of the Heroes” from Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith” and “Dry Your Tears, Africa,” from Amistad. Under the Direction of Christine Hestwood, these young men and women touched my heart with their professional, vocal accompaniment.

One segment in particular of Heroes and Villains caught my attention--the “Overture to Tarare" by none other than Antonio Salieri, contemporary of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Before this, I had never experienced Salieri’s music on a symphony program. Herr Mozart, I thought, would have been amazed beyond measure had he witnessed this. Truly!

By:  Hank Walshak
Good News and Cultural Reporter

Hank Walshak, Founder and President of Walshak Communications, Inc., helps experts to be read, be heard, be seen, and be known. He assists experts in creating and delivering expertise-related content to differentiate themselves as experts.

He empowers experts to creatively articulate themselves and to stand out in the scarce space vis-à-vis their competitors in the markets they serve. He is adept at helping executives and business owners communicate their ideas in ways that energize and stay with their audiences.

Ann Hampton Callaway, PNCPops, Streisand Songbook An Entertainment Delight

Ann Hampton Callaway 

The Streisand Songbook with the Pittsburgh Symphony 

PNC POPS in Concert… 

An Entertainment Delight!

 

Empress of biz…JoAnn R. Forrester

The Pittsburgh Symphony Pops and Ann Hampton Callaway is a musical treat for Streisand Devotees.

Barbara Streisand one of the great popular song stylists of the last half of the 20^th century was property represented by Ann Hampton Callaway and the PSO.  Ms. Callaway is a singer, composer, lyricist, pianist and born entertainer with a strong stage presence.     Her admiration and association with Ms. Streisand gives her an unusual insight into the music and life of Barbra Streisand. Barbra has recorded two of songs that Ann has written, I’ve Dreamed and At the Same Time

Did you know that Barbra has only given 92 concerts in her 50

photo by Bill Westmoreland

plus year career?  It is well known that Barbra hates to do concerts.  Well she does not have to do them…she has Ann Callaway out there singing her songs and talking about her. 

The Pops program included “Don't Rain on My Parade” from “Funny Girl,” Marvin Hamish’s “The Way We Were,” “Evergreen” from “A Star Is Born,” and Callaway's “At the Same Time.”

Ann Calloway Hampton has a strong command of the stage and a delightful sense of humor.  She did a great improvisation form the stage based on suggestions from the audience about a steelworker, therapist, a rendezvous at the Fairmont hotel and love blooming a year later.  It was a fun piece and demonstrated how talented and versatile she is.  I really joyed her work presenting the Streisand Songbook…and when she comes back to the ”burgh” I hope it is a show based on her own songs and work.  What a talented and creative person she is.

The Pops symphony was conducted by Assistant conductor Fawzi Haimor. He has a light breezy engaging style.  The symphony as usual was top notch and all together it was a fine and enjoyable night.

Roving Pittsburgher Good News Reporter, JoAnn Forrester is the Host of "Empress of Biz, Reinvent in Rugged Times," a business Talkcast syndicated on PPLMag, Pittsburgh's First Internet Radio and TV Network.  You can hear JoAnn and Business friends every Thursday at 9 AM on the TalkShoe network or archived later at:  http://pplmag.com  Jo Ann has also been a regular business tip columnist at the Pittsburgh Business Times.

Kenny G and the Pittsburgh Symphony Pops

Kenny G and the Pittsburgh Symphony

JoAnn R. Forrester,  Empress of Biz.

Oh what a night…what a weekend for Pittsburgh it was.  Music, arts, sports, foods, people all around downtown Pittsburgh.  It felt like it was one big  happening…and it was!  To put it mildly it was a blast to be downtown and to experience all the "happenings."  I went to several events over the weekend and I am still humming  and tapping my toes ready to burst out of song at any moment. 

http://kennyg.com

Saturday. I saw  Kenny Gee play superbly with the Pittsburgh Symphony.  The man is amazing, his ability to hold notes and make his soprano  saxophone talk is legendary.  I could go on and on about his skill…but we all know that.  And we all know that the Pittsburgh Symphony is world class and their Pop series are exciting and vibrant.  In fact sport fans…you want to back a winning team?   I suggest you become Pittsburgh Symphony fan. They never disappoint.  They always put on a winning performance.

I enjoyed the concert for many reasons…not only for the music…but for the easy interaction that Kenny G has with the audience and the musicians.  This man is not only gifted with musical talent, he is technically brilliant and has the ability to hold notes  longer than anyone . In fact he has set the world record for the longest notes held…45 minutes!

In 1997, Kenny G earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for playing the longest note ever recorded on a saxophone. Using circular breathing, Kenny G held an E-flat for 45 minutes and 47 seconds at J&R Music World in New York City.^{[16]  Wikipedia}

  Kenny is also gifted with the ability to connect with the audience and bring his love of  Jazz to you .  His chatter with the audience and his musicians, the conductor are all designed to bring you in and feel like you are his special friend and he is only entertaining f you.  

To sum it up…Kenny is a master story teller with words and music.

One additional note-- pun intended… The Pittsburgh Symphony is have a drive.  The have been offered a challenge grant of $125,000 by PNC and PSO Trustee Rick & Laurie Johnson.    Help them match the challenge by August 31, 2013 and they will received $125,000. Ok folks…this is a great time to support  a winning team…now get your check book out and write…I know I am.  

Roving Pittsburgher Good News Reporter, JoAnn Forrester is the Host of "Empress of Biz, Reinvent in Rugged Times," a business Talkcast syndicated on PPLMag, Pittsburgh's First Internet Radio and TV Network.  You can hear JoAnn and Business friends every Thursday at 9 AM on the TalkShoe network or archived later at:  http://pplmag.com  Jo Ann is also a regular business tip columinist at the Pittsburgh Business Times.

Matthew Morrison Sings at Marvin Hamlisch’s Wake

Tamar Cerafici

Pittsburgh Pops!                                                                                                                        
Heinz Hall
September 30, 2012

It might seem the height of folly to review a concert at its last performance. But the Pittsburgh Pops concert series shows so much promise that it’s inevitable I should urge everyone to leave this site and become a subscriber. Go. NOW.

This was a remarkable opening to a fun season that includes a 50^th anniversary tribute to the Beatles and the ever-popular Holiday Pops.

Marvin Hamlisch was supposed to conduct this concert. He had planned the entire season before he died in August. In his stead, Lucas Richman proved an admirable and capable substitute. The concert began with memories of Mr. Hamlisch and his relationship with the Pittsburgh Pops program. I wasn’t aware of the great impact that Marvin Hamlisch had on the cultural lives of Pittsburghers. (Remember I’m new to this venue.)

But when Lucas Richman sat down at the piano, lovingly placed in the “Marvin position” to conduct a soaring “The Way We Were,” I knew I was in for a special evening of tribute. This concert is the beginning of a long goodbye to Marvin Hamlisch. The PSO is going forward with the pops concert as Marvin planned with the stars he wanted, the arrangements he needed, and the orchestra members and audience that he loved so much.

Marvin Hamlisch conducting
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvin_Hamlisch

I was surrounded by concertgoers who did have fond memories of Mr. Hamlisch at the podium. They described an engaging and utterly unpretentious entertainer and friend. When I told them I was writing a review for this magazine, all around me started to regale me with tales of Mr. Hamlisch and his contributions to the concerts.

One recounted Marvin’s habit of updating Steelers games from the conductor’s podium during Sunday afternoon programs.

Another told me about the original Hanukkah material Marvin created especially for the annual Holiday Pops programs.

Marvin would see a regular concertgoer in her traditional seat and stop the concert to say hello; he would make sure that the folks in the gallery were having as much fun as the patrons in the dress circle.

Their Marvin was not some Broadway Big shot who’d won an Emmy, a Tony, an Oscar, a Grammy and a Pulitzer Prize (the only one besides Richard Rogers). Their Marvin was someone who loves music, loves the theater, loves telling stories, and above all loves leaving people happier when they left the concert hall than when they came in.

(I have to add here that this is the coolest thing about living in Pittsburgh that is different from the four other places I’ve lived since 2009. People will talk to you. They will share themselves with you. They want you to know their story. I totally love that.)

But enough about Marvin and Pittsburghers; I was there to hear one of the orchestras that provided the soundtrack to my youth in the Intermountain West.

Matthew Morrison

The first half of the concert was a tribute to Marvin’s life and love of music. The overture to Funny Girl was on the program because Marvin would procure chocolate donuts for Barbra Streisand during rehearsals. Lucas Richman’s own composition, Romancing the Cinema, highlighted love songs from the great movies that Marvin loved. (A note to Richman: rather too many references to Titanic thank you very much, but I loved your arrangement of As Time Goes By.) And, since we are celebrating one of the great lights of modern American theater, why not throw in a little West Side Story? The PSO’s animated “Mambo” could have been a trite throwaway, but they performed it with passion and verve.

Oh wait! The guy from Glee! Mr. Shuester! That’s why we’re all here! That explains the bevy of teenagers and college students and the school buses lined up along Sixth Street.

Yes, Matthew Morrison was supposed to be the main attraction this afternoon. And he delivered. His program was part autobiography, part song and dance, and part motivational speech. Between standbys like “It Don’t Mean A Thing If You Ain’t Got That Swing,” “Luck Be a Lady,” and “The Lady Is A Tramp,” we learned about Morrison’s introduction to musical theater. He described his own Glee Club experiences at the Orange County High School for the Arts with pretty decent riffs on some Duke Ellington pieces.  He highlighted his rise to fame on Broadway with medleys from “South Pacific” “West Side Story” and “A Little Night Music” (of course it was “Send in the Clowns”). His choice to join the cast of Glee was difficult because really all he wanted to do was be a song and dance man like Sammy Davis Jr. Then he went on to prove that he would’ve been a very good song and dance man instead of a washed-up Spanish teacher in Lima, OH. Very few of us will forget his moonwalk during “Ease On Down The Road.”

The great strength of his program, though, was his willingness to attribute his success to choices that other people made. While I liked Morrison’s lyrical tenor voice immensely, it was fun to watch him throw a little bit of Mr. Shuester into the mix. He told of a teacher who said “you have three Life Days where you realize that you have a chance to do the one thing that changes your life forever.” He reminded all of us that the world is full of choices, but when you do what you love and live your passion you realize that there never really was a choice to make. 

Tamar Cerafici is an environmental lawyer whose national practice includes nuclear power and sustainable development consulting. She is the author of “Dominate: How Lawyers Crush Their Competition (with these 4 Powerhouse Marketing Techniques),” and the founder of The-Barefoot-Barrister.com as well as LegalShoe, and The Lawyer’s New Clothes, new media channels on PositivelyPittsburghlivemagazine.com that teach lawyers how to build enterprises and find balance in their practices without selling their souls.