Steven Reineke
by: Sandi Durell
There’s nothing like the great eras from the Hollywood movie musicals. Steven Reineke, Musical Director and Conductor, created the evening as a tribute to the songs and scores of Academy Award Winners.
After an opening montage of multi classic songs from the silver screen, encased within “Hooray for Hollywood,” the ever-charming Mr. Reineke began back in 1938 when Erich Wolfgang Korngold wrote “Robin and His Merry Men” from the Adventures of Robin Hood, continuing with Max Steiner’s “Tara’s Theme” from Gone with the Wind that won 10 Academy Awards in 1939. Impressive!
All the songs were very recognizable such as Henry Mancini’s “Moon River” (Breakfast at Tiffany’s) which was almost cut from the movie until Audrey Hepburn uttered the words “over my dead body;” and in1966 “Born Free,” by John Barry (who wrote the James Bond theme), claimed an Academy Award. Act I was brought to a close with an overture of Walt Disney songs. Mr. Disney, in 1932, was the first one ever to receive an Academy Award created just for him, and it was difficult not to sing along to just about every one of these icon songs – Zippity Doo Da, Supercalifragilistic, Bibbity Bobbity Boo and especially the Mickey Mouse theme.
Act II was a tribute to John Williams on his 80th Birthday. He is best known for the theme from Superman and many of the Harry Potter songs, as well as Star Wars Saga.
The chorus, Essential Voices USA (Judith Clurman, Conductor), provided some beautiful harmonic moments.
My one comment in this regard is that it would have been very nice to hear the great silver screen songs included from the movie musicals of Fred and Ginger, The Road Movies (Bing/Bob/Dorothy), Judy and Mickey and perhaps The Wizard of Oz, too. But maybe that’s a completely different evening!
On Monday, April 30th, the New York Pops provides an incredible evening of song and talent as part of the 29th Birthday Gala honoring songwriters Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty with guest artists to include: Norm Lewis, Liz Callaway, Jason Danieley, Rebecca Luker, Andrew Rannells to name a few, at Carnegie Hall, followed by a sumptuous dinner dance at the Plaza Hotel. There is also an online auction. Information: www.newyorkpops.org bidding at www.charitybuzz.com/neworkpops
Posted by Sandi Durell
on April 14, 2012. Filed under Cabaret and Interviews - Sandi Durell,COLUMNS,ENTERTAIMENT,Music.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0.
You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
You must be logged in to post a comment Login