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Summertime Classics
New York Phil Lights It Up For Summer
Photo: Andrew Linden
Not your typical entertainment, classical music and summertime fun can blend melodically at the New York Philharmonic. From June 28-July5, the city plays arena to two spectacular shows put on by the classic Orchestra in it’s Summertime Classics. Different from the more serious performances of other seasons, the summertime shows have both a lighthearted feel and a patriotic tone. Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall sets the stage where classic notes and summer nights intertwine harmoniously.
Conducted and hosted Bramwell Tovey, Classics is a salute to two varying cultures: romantic classical and American grandstand. This is Tovey’s eighth year with Summertime Classics, and has served as Music Director of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. A global conductor, traveling to Asia, Australia and North America, his skills bring expertise and passion to the Philharmonic summer performances. Tovey especially enjoys the jovial side to the summertime series; “During the Summertime Classics, we can have a few laughs and a few jokes.”
First up in the summertime masterpiece is Tchaikovsky and Other Romantics. The show promises to enthrall audiences with classical Russian notes. The cornerstone of the show is Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No.1, a popular tune that was initially rejected by the man for whom it was dedicated. Other works include Aram Khachaturian’s Masquerade and Alexander Borodin’s ballet Polovtsian Dances. The highlight of these performances will likely come from the addition of famed Russian pianist, Kirill Gerstein.
For those looking for the classic Americana that is evoked by Independence Day, Star-Spangled Celebration is the finely tuned answer. These performances, surrounding the 4th of July, will surely bring the energy and thrill of lively American music. An appearance by The Commandment’s Own the United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corp, directed by Major Brian Dix, will add a truly patriotic and sincere quality to the lineup. Highlights of the repertoire are George Gershwin’s Catfish Row and Robert Russell Bennett’s Salute to Broadway, featuring classic show tunes from Broadway’s Golden Era.
The two varied yet thrilling sets of performances will both delight and excite audiences. Whether a fan of classical ballet pieces or distinctly American anthems, everyone can find a song to appreciate or identify with. So why not grab a blanket, picnic in the summer night’s air, and head to Lincoln Center to thrill the ear with the fine melodies of the New York Philharmonic? Sounds like the perfect recipe for summertime fun.
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