Cole, McPhee, Williams and more highlight upcoming Symphony season

Pacific Symphony launches a very special 2010-11 pops season: one not only chock full of big-name artists and much-loved music, but also one truly worthy of celebration. While last season was a milestone year for Symphony Music Director Carl St.Clair as he marked his 20th season with the orchestra, 2010-11 celebrates another significant occasion: Principal Pops Conductor Richard Kaufman’s 20^th anniversary! And although Pops may provide the lighter side of the Symphony, Kaufman’s anniversary season in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall is packed with heavy-hitter entertainment and some of the most treasured songs and genres of our time. In addition to mega-watt stars such as Natalie Cole, Katharine McPhee, Jim Brickman, Andy Williams and three stars of Broadway’s “Phantom of the Opera,” the concerts include a tribute to James Bond music and an evening at the movies featuring “The Wizard of Oz” on the big screen. For more information or to purchase season tickets ($147-$1,050), call (714) 755-5799 or visit www.pacificsymphony.org.

 “For the past 20 years Richard has been my friend, colleague and musical partner,” says St.Clair. “During his tenure with us as our Pops Maestro, he has excited our audiences with charm, humor and great music-making. No one can put on a Pops show like Richard. He has a wealth of ideas for creating one wonderful Pops concert after another. And, he does it with such élan and enthusiasm.

“Richard’s musicianship complements the musical life of Orange County,” St.Clair continues. “He brings us joy, entertainment and excitement all wrapped in his incredible musical personality. He has been a true friend and confidante. Hats off to you, Richard, with a big warm embrace in friendship, respect and admiration! As Bob Hope once sang:  ‘Thanks for the memories!’”  

Without a doubt, Kaufman has played an important and beloved role in the history of the orchestra. For the last 19 seasons, he has charmed audiences with his infectious humor, amused patrons with personal reflections about working alongside some of music’s most famous stars, and blessed listeners with the world premiere of more than 25 film scores. Along the way, the Grammy Award-winning conductor has entertained more than a quarter-million Orange County residents—who have used Pops concerts to conjure a memory, capture a moment or maybe even rekindle a romance.

“For a conductor, it doesn’t get any better than having the opportunity to work with Pacific Symphony,” says Kaufman. “I’ve been blessed to experience the cumulative talents of the superb musicians who have made up this magnificent ensemble for 20 years, and that is a lifetime of dreams come true for any conductor.”

Pops Opening Salutes Kaufman

Just in time for Halloween—the season gets off to ghoul-orious start on Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 28-30—with the Symphony’s official opening festivities taking place on Oct. 30 with an over-the-top celebration of Kaufman’s 20^th anniversary and the first concert of the Pops season. The excitement begins with the maestro leading “The Three Phantoms,” with a memorable evening of Broadway magic that combines the cachet of “The Phantom of the Opera” with the three extraordinary performers who have played that title role: Craig Schulman, Kevin Gray and Brad Little. In addition to soaring melodies from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s phenomenon (now the longest running musical on Broadway), the concert includes blockbusters from “Les Miserables,” “Miss Saigon,” “Guys and Dolls,” “Nine” and much more!

The three icons of “Phantom of the Opera” are among Broadway’s elite. Schulman is the only actor in the United States to have portrayed three of the greatest musical theater roles: Jean Valjean in “Les Miserables,” both title roles in “Jekyll & Hyde,” and, of course, the Phantom. Since 1997, Little has played the role of the Phantom more than 2,000 times in theaters across America and in Asia. And Gray’s most recent starring roles have included “Scar” in Disney’s “The Lion King,” the King in the “The King and I,” and the Phantom, among many others. The powerhouse trio are certain to make hearts tremble—if not the walls of the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. 

Symphony Pops Celebrates the Holidays

The concert hall transforms into a winter wonderland for “Christmas with Andy Williams,” showcasing the legendary vocals of Andy Williams on Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 16-18, at 8 p.m. Still thrilling audiences more than 40 years after his debut, Williams has crooned his way into the hearts of multiple generations. The singer’s quintessential interpretation of “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” highlights this Pops Christmas special, which also features other Williams hits including “Moon River,” “Music to Watch Girls By,” “Can’t Get Used To Losing You” and “Days of Wine and Roses.”

The three-time Emmy winner originally secured his star-status with his weekly television variety show “The Andy Williams Show,” which lasted nine years. He also dominated the live circuit after opening Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas in 1966—where he continued to headline for the next 20 years. In 1992, Williams opened the state-of-the-art “Andy Williams’ Moon River Theater,” in Branson, Mo., where he continues to attract throngs of fans six days a week from September through December—showcasing a set of vocal-driven tunes like few others.

Just in time for the most romantic holiday of the year: “Valentine’s Day with Natalie Cole” takes place Thurs.-Sat., Feb. 10-12, at 8 p.m. The audience should expect an “Unforgettable” concert led by Kaufman and featuring the incredible, indelible eight-time Grammy-winner Natalie Cole, backed by the lush sounds of a full symphony orchestra. Warm, tender and heartfelt, her singing preserves the treasured standards made famous by her legendary father, Nat King Cole, while adding her own touches of jazz, swing, soul and pop.

A star since her 1975 Best New Artist Grammy, it was her seminal CD, “Unforgettable” in 1991, featuring a remarkable duet with her late father that put her at the top—selling more than 8 million copies in the United States alone and setting a new standard for reinventing the Great American Songbook. Since then, Cole’s vocal dexterity and intimate way with a lyric and melody have showcased hit songs such as “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love),” “Inseparable,” “Our Love,” “I’ve Got Love on my Mind,” “Pink Cadillac,” and “Miss You Like Crazy”—keeping her truly unforgettable.

Two Different Kinds of Idols

On Thursday-Saturday, March 17–19, 2011, at 8 p.m., the Symphony welcomes the “American Idol” runner-up who amazed audiences with her heart-stirring rendition of “Over the Rainbow”—superstar Katharine McPhee—as she continues her evolution into a pop music superstar. For these Orange County performances, McPhee makes her world premiere symphonic debut backed by the lush melodies of the Symphony! Led by Kaufman, the Symphony complements her effortless ability to cross boundaries and deliver songbook standards, catchy pop tunes, musical theater favorites, powerful ballads and soulful blues.

Since “Idol,” McPhee’s path has been sure and swift. Her first album in early 2007 quickly hit No. 2 on the Billboard Top 200, but only hinted at the extent of her talent—not only as a singer but as a songwriter. On “Unbroken,” her second album and Verve Records debut, listeners hear an even more glorious side of McPhee previously untapped: poignant, vital lyrics and full, lush melodies. Symphony audiences are in for a treat!

Up next, on Thursday-Saturday, May 12-14, 2011, at 8 p.m., the Symphony is joined by Jim Brickman—America’s romantic piano sensation—who has become the best-selling solo piano artist of our time with his catchy, heart-tugging love songs. His signature style of playing and songwriting has garnered two Grammy nods, six Gold and Platinum albums, and 28 charted adult radio hits. The grand evening with the popular pianist includes such classic hits as “After All These Years” “The Gift” “Valentine,” “Love of My Life,” “Simple Things” and “Peace.”

Since the release of his debut album “No Words” in 1994, Brickman’s romantic piano sound has defined him as a marquis among contemporary instrumental hit makers. By November 2005, Brickman held the top three spots on Billboard’s New Age chart for his albums the “Disney Songbook,” “Grace” and “Greatest Hits.” He has also established a reputation for his collaborations with many gifted musical artists including Martina McBride, Gerald Levert, Lady Antebellum, Michael W. Smith, Kenny Loggins, Carly Simon, Herb Alpert, Collin Raye, Pam Tillis, Michael Bolton, Sara Evans, Donny Osmond and Olivia Newton-John.

Two Thematic Pops Concerts

There is nothing quite like seeing one of cinema’s greatest achievements accompanied by the world-class Symphony; the season continues on April 7-9, 2011, at 8 p.m., with a nostalgic trip down the yellow brick road for a symphonic night at the movies. “The Wizard of Oz,” one of the most beloved films of all time, comes to the concert hall’s big screen, lovingly restored. On stage, the musicians of the Symphony perform the timeless soundtrack live.

 “The coming season will have numerous highlights,” says Kaufman. “Among them for me is performing the score live to the classic film ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ which will be extraordinary. The original dialogue and sound effects remain, while the original orchestral track has been removed. To hear this score performed live while the film is shown on a huge movie screen will be memorable.”

For this performance, the score by composer Herbert Stothart is accompanied by Judy Garland’s original vocals and the film is projected onto the giant screen above the stage. The audience relives such award-winning songs (written by Harold Arlen) as “We’re Off to See the Wizard,” “If I Only had a Brain,” “Ding Dong the Witch is Dead,” and of course, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”

  “Bond. James Bond,” led by guest conductor Carl Davis, promises to deliver a night of intrigue, espionage and glamour on Thursday-Saturday, June 16-18, 2011, at 8 p.m. The audience is invited to come dressed-to-kill (as their favorite Bond characters), while the Symphony explores the cool soundtracks that accompany the cool gadgets in the iconic “007” films. The program features vocalist Mary Carewe, singing the quintessential hits from the numerous Bond movies including “Goldfinger,” “From Russia with Love,” “Thunderball,” “Casino Royale,” “Diamonds Are Forever,” “Live and Let Die” and others.

Conductor Davis has made significant contributions to film and TV music, in the roles of composer, arranger and conductor. As an American living in Britain, he has found himself film and television work on both sides of the Atlantic. For TV he has done a number of historical dramas and big productions. For film, his score for “The French

Lieutenant’s Woman” is highly regarded. For a number of years he conducted the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra during its summer season. He then went on to work with Paul McCartney on his “Liverpool Oratorio,” orchestrating and conducting the music for the same orchestra.

“Over my 20 years with this orchestra, I have seen the level of performance improve consistently,” says Kaufman, “due in large part to the visionary leadership of Carl St.Clair, who challenges the musicians to achieve greatness in every performance. The reputation of Pacific Symphony has spread throughout the music world, attracting extremely talented musicians who want to be part of this orchestra. Of course, moving into the new concert hall also raised the bar in terms of what our audiences receive, as they hear great music in a world-class musical environment. Next season promises to be nothing less than sensational.”