Holiday show goes beyond the patriotic to everything American
The Columbus Symphony Orchestra’s Patriotic Pops concert Saturday night at the John F. Wolfe Columbus Commons stepped out of the traditional Independence Day mold.
Instead of featuring the usual marches and narratives, Associate Conductor Peter Stafford Wilson and the orchestra presented a spotlight on songs that bring us together as Americans.
After performing “The StarSpangled Banner” and the traditional salute to the armed forces, the orchestra launched into an exploration of Broadway and the Great American Songbook.
First in line was “A StarSpangled Spectacular,” a light, charming medley of songs from George M. Cohan, featuring such favorites as “Give My Regards to Broadway,” “Yankee Doodle Dandy” and “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”
Next up: George Gershwin’s Overture to “Of Thee I Sing,” full of sweeping melodies and tight syncopations, stylistically accurate and enjoyable.
A set of selections from Leonard Bernstein’s “West Side Story” was especially refined. Strings and winds were evenly balanced, percussion was crisp, and the overall result was rich and entertaining.
A Tribute to Irving Berlin was dynamic and bright, rolling through such classics as “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” “Blue Skies” and “Puttin’ on the Ritz.” The medley segued into a grandiose arrangement of Berlin’s “God Bless America.”
The Spirit of Columbus chorus, made up of about 500 members of the Harmony Project, joined the orchestra for the second half of the performance. Although the group’s pop-song repertoire is not overtly patriotic, it focuses on many facets of the American spirit and community building, and was a fresh perspective on independence.
Five-hundred amplified voices in front of the stage, however, were nearly too much for the orchestra.
Bruce Springsteen’s “Land of Hope and Dreams” and Pentatonix’s “Sing” were acoustically rough, with the women greatly overpowering the men and the instrumentalists. Fortunately, as the set continued, the sound was better balanced.
Kansas’s “Dust in the Wind” was nicely delivered, with dynamics and emotion, as was Pat Benatar’s “We Belong.”
Pink Floyd’s “On the Turning Away” lost its introspective character in a more encouraging arrangement, but Aerosmith’s “Dream On” worked well for the chorus. The text took on a new clarity and hope.
The singers’ exuberance poured over into the audience, and listeners clearly were inspired by their efforts and the message from all the musicians, drawing together as Americans through music.