Brown, Bundy and More Part of NY Pops Season

The New York Pops will open its 26th season at Carnegie Hall on Friday, October 17 at 8:00PM. Six guest conductors will lead the 2008-2009 concert season which features a grand collection of music arranged for the orchestra. Founded by Skitch Henderson in 1983, The New York Pops is the city's only symphonic orchestra specializing in popular American music.

Friday, October 17, 2008, 8:00PM

Carnegie Hall – The Bernstein Songbook

The first concert of the season is part of Carnegie Hall's festival commemorating the 90th anniversary of Leonard Bernstein's birth. The concert features the best-loved songs of Leonard Bernstein, performed by The New York Pops under the direction of conductor Constantine Kitsopoulos. Soprano Christiane Noll returns for her third appearance with The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall. Noll made her Broadway debut starring in Jekyll & Hyde, creating the role of Emma. Tony Award-winning performer Lillias White, whose career has successfully crossed stage and screen, will lend her talents to the festivities.  Tenor Martín Solá, a versatile artist who has gained acclaim in a wide array of idioms, including opera, musical theatre, concerts and film, will perform as well.  Pianist and composer Fred Hersch, one of the most prolific jazz artists working today, performs his arrangement of "Somewhere" from West Side Story.  Also featured on the program is jazz violinist Sara Caswell, a member of The New York Pops since 2004. Special guest Phyllis Newman joins the orchestra to perform "My New Friends" from The Madwoman of Central Park West, written for her by Leonard Bernstein.  Phyllis Newman was married to Bernstein's longtime collaborator Adolph Green.

Information: www.bernsteinfestival.org.

Friday, November 7, 2008, 8:00PM

Carnegie Hall – New York Songs: A Love Letter to the City

The New York Pops celebrates its hometown with classic songs about New York City and the world premiere of original songs about the city by Kenneth Laub. Clint Holmes headlines the concert with guests Ashley Brown, Laura Bell Bundy and Linda Hart. Vinnie Falcone and Eric Stern will conduct the program, which includes songs by Stephen Sondheim, Jule Styne and Cole Porter. Information: http://kennethdlaubmusic.com/.

Friday and Saturday, December 19 and 20, 2008, 8:00PM

Carnegie Hall – A King's Singers Holiday

The King's Singers help the New York Pops celebrate the holidays in this festive program of seasonal favorites. Formed in 1968 by six Choral Scholars from King's College, Cambridge, the King's Singers are England's premiere vocal ensemble. Rob Fisher, accomplished musical theatre director and frequent guest conductor of The New York Pops, leads the annual holiday concert, one of Carnegie Hall's most popular December traditions.
 

Friday, March 6, 2009, 8:00PM

Carnegie Hall – The Music of James Bond

From Dr. No (1962) to Quantum of Solace (2008), The New York Pops plays the best of Bond under the baton of internationally-recognized conductor and composer Carl Davis. Currently the Principal Guest Conductor of the Navarra Symphony Orchestra in Pamplona, Davis has composed for and directed productions for the stage, screen and concert hall. He regularly conducts the London Philharmonic, the Royal Philharmonic, the Philharmonia, the Hallé, the Northern Sinfonia and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.  Renowned vocalists Mary Carewe and simon bowman will appear to sing Bond hits by John Barry, Marvin Hamlisch, Paul McCartney and more.         

 

Friday, April 3, 2009, 8:00PM

Carnegie Hall – Once Upon a Time and Tomorrow: The Best of Charles Strouse

The New York Pops celebrates Charles Strouse, composer of Annie, Applause, Bye Bye Birdie, and Nick & Nora at 80! Since his first Broadway musical in 1960, Strouse has enjoyed a highly prolific career and has been inducted into both the Songwriters' Hall of Fame and the Theatre Hall of Fame. On the podium will be highly regarded British pianist and conductor Martin Yates, who has conducted opera, ballet, and symphonic repertoire across Europe.

The New York Pops <www.newyorkpops.org> was founded by former NBC Music Director Skitch Henderson in 1983 to give New York a permanent professional symphonic pops orchestra that would create greater public awareness and appreciation of America's rich and diverse musical heritage. The orchestra is now the largest independent symphonic pops orchestra in the United States.

Subscriptions are available for the 2008-2009 Carnegie Hall series, starting at $81. Visit the Carnegie Hall Box Office, 57th Street and 7th Avenue, or call CarnegieCharge at 212-247-7800 to purchase tickets. Visit www.carnegiehall.org for more information. Single tickets will be available to the public beginning September 2, 2008 and are priced at $29, $33, $42, $70, $90 and $100.   

Delta Air Lines is the official airline of The New York Pops. The New York Pops is a not-for-profit corporation supported solely through the generosity of individual donations, institutional grants, and concert income. Dates, artists and programs are subject to change. 

Photo Credit Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

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