To some, pops concerts are the first cousins to traditional orchestral concerts. If you say “classical music” to the average person, what will they think of? Their brains may spout a couple of well-known composers like Mozart or Beethoven, or perhaps an internationally known group like the London Symphony Orchestra. But mention a “pops concert” to that same person, and what do you get? Aside from the word “Boston,” maybe not much more than a quizzical look.
The fact is that dozens of orchestras have expanded their traditional repertoire to include pops, or “popular” music, for many years. What exactly does “popular” mean in the classical music world? Sometimes it means film score music, or seasonal music, or perhaps the hits of a certain era, nationality, or songwriter. It could also be instantly recognizable classics.
It is music that the everyday listener will know, but not necessarily music that was written hundreds of years ago by some guy plunking out notes on a harpsichord and wearing a powdered wig and a scarlet coat.
The Players
Community orchestras as well as the pros offer pops performances.
So where are these pops groups? Just about anywhere: Cincinnati, Reno, New York, Denver, Pittsburgh, Maui, Sarasota, Baltimore, London, Queensland, and the list goes on. They are in cities large and small, spanning the globe.
Back when he founded the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1881, Civil War veteran and philanthropist Henry Lee Higginson wanted to re-create the exuberant, yet relaxed, danceable concerts that the public could hear in the city parks and recital halls of Vienna and other Western European cities. Forget the traditional, serious atmosphere that seems to keep concertgoers at bay, sitting still, with nary a cough among them. On the contrary, pops audiences can let loose, relax, and enjoy themselves.
Indeed, one of the most prominent European directors currently leading his own chamber orchestra (to the delight of uncountable worldwide fans) is violinist Andre Rieu. Part of his philosophy is to nurture the innate audience participation that results from true enjoyment of a live musical performance. At any of his concerts, you may find folks literally dancing in the aisles. He even lets his musicians have a little fun (impromptu solos and choreography have been known to happen). Catch him if you can.
So the intent is a lighter, toe-tapping musical fare, which is pretty much everywhere, but what can you expect at one of these pops concerts? How different is the performance?
What to Expect
Nowadays, just about anything goes (within the confines of reason and decency). Maestro Rieu delivers a cornucopia of different styles, along with singing, dancing, and maybe even a few costume changes. If you go to New York’s Radio City Rockettes Christmas show, you also could consider this a sort of pops concert. But if there’s one thing you should expect from a truly remarkable pops concert, it is the unexpected.
In 2009 Erich Kunzel, Cincinnati Pops director and 2008 American Classical Music Hall of Fame inductee, conducted the National Symphony Orchestra at one of the Washington, D.C. area’s premier outdoor venues, Wolftrap Farm Park. The concert theme was a familiar one – a tribute to the film music of composer and former Boston Pops Conductor John Williams, featuring themes from Superman, Star Wars, and many other well-known movies.
The program was fantastic and Kunzel’s banter with the audience was light and fun. Some audience members may have been slightly shocked to see Star Wars characters strolling across the stage during that part of the concert, from stormtroopers to sandpeople. It was definitely unusual, and certainly not normal for a “classical music” concert.
Additionally, the encore treated everyone to more unexpected sights. As the NSO played the jaunty Cantina tune from Star Wars, creating a more relaxed atmosphere, the characters came out again. The maestro had a short duel with Darth Vader—baton versus lightsaber—while the rest of the “cast” enjoyed themselves out front. You haven’t lived until you’ve seen about a dozen stormtroopers dancing the Cabbage Patch at Wolftrap’s Filene Center.
These are just a few examples of what can happen when an orchestra infuses amusing antics into a concert. Allow the performers to show their passion for the music, add a relaxed (but not rowdy) audience, top with a few surprises, and you have a truly unique pops concert. So the next time you have a chance to see the pops, go with an open mind and enjoy the extracurricular events!
Have you been to a pops concert? Were there any surprises?
Who was playing? Did you recognize the pieces?
If haven’t been to a pops concert, what’s keeping you?