to appear at a fundraiser or to host a group of school kids, or
play in someone’s home for BSO donors, “Marvin never said
no to anyone,” says Tucker. “With Marvin, it was always,
‘Sure, sure.’”
Hamlisch came from a Broadway background where
changes in the music were made on the fly, which brought a
unique quality to his pops conducting. “I think something
Marvin always imbued musicians with was honing their ability
to be flexible, to change on a dime in a performance,” says
current principal pops conductor Jack Everly, who met Hamlisch when Everly was conductor for the national company of
They’re Playing My Song. “That sort of flexibility was unheard
of 20 years ago … The flexibility, musicality and sense of joy
that Marvin brought to the stage was rare, and I know the
musicians felt those qualities and learned from his approach.”
“He had that sixth sense of the great masters of ceremony,”
says Everly. “He understood humor and how to utilize it.”
And to honor him, the BSO’s SuperPops is performing a
tribute to Hamlisch in January, with selections based partially
on a list of songs Hamlisch left with his wife, Terri, in the
event that there would ever be a concert of his music.
“I found it very illuminating and deeply personal,” says
Everly. “These are the choices Marvin made, and I was
honored to put these in the program.”
In October, the SuperPops performed the Streisand Songbook with Ann Hampton Callaway as vocalist. This, too,
evoked Hamlisch, as he and Streisand became longtime friends
after they met in 1964 when he was her rehearsal pianist.
“
SuperPops at the Meyerhoff
at a Glance
Sci-Fi Spectacular
narrated by Star Trek’s
George Takei
Friday, February 21, 2014 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, February 22, 2014 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, February 23, 2014 at 3 p.m.
Stayin Alive
One Night of the Bee Gees
Friday, March 28, 2014 at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 29, 2014 at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 30, 2014 at 3:00 p.m.
All That Jazz:
A Symphonic Celebration
of Kander and Ebb
Friday, May 16, 2014 at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 17, 2014 at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 18, 2014 at 3:00 p.m.
For information on tickets, please contact the BSO ticket office,
410.783.8000 or BSOmusic.org.
I found it very illuminating and deeply personal…
These are the choices Marvin made, and I was honored
to put these in the program — Jack Everly
Personally, Everly is eagerly anticipating the Sci-Fi Spectacular,
which will be narrated by Star Trek’s George Takei and will feature
a “mind-blowing” laser display. After a March performance of hit
music by the Bee Gees, the season will close with a celebration of
Kander and Ebb with a cast of Broadway singers joining the BSO
in performances of hits from Cabaret, Chicago and more.
The season’s selections reflect Everly’s passion for melody,
something he shares with Hamlisch. “Marvin had a clear idea
”
of what made for great music, and for him, it was all about the
melody,” says Tucker.
For Hamlisch, everything hinged on the review: If opening night wasn’t reviewed by the local music critic, it was as
if it hadn’t happened. This again, had everything to do with
his Broadway experience. Given the outpouring of tributes
inspired by Hamlisch and his astounding musical legacy, the
life of Marvin Hamlisch has earned perennial rave reviews.
Hamlisch came from a Broadway background where changes in the music were made on the fly, which brought a unique quality to his pops conducting.
November– December 2013 |
O v ertur e
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