Boston Pops - 129th Season - Podcast

Recorded May 28 at Symphony Hall! Journey back to the Gatsby era, when flappers and bootleggers rubbed elbows at parties in clandestine speakeasies. Joining the Boston Pops is the innovative New York-based jazz band The Hot Sardines, making its Boston Pops debut. Blending standards with Dixieland music and Parisian flair into a surprising and captivating sound, the versatile band-which also includes a tap dancer-will capture the spirit of the 1920s and '30s with such tunes as "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen," "Some of These Days," and "St. James Infirmary." Soak in the atmosphere at the Pops cabaret tables, where patrons can enjoy food and drink "speakeasy-style" during the concert.

Billy Porter electrified Broadway audiences last year, winning the Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his performance in the hit Kinky Boots. His talents lie "at the corner of Broadway and soul," and he belts a Broadway ballad as expertly as his voice soars on a rhythm-driven beat. Join the Pops for an unforgettable evening featuring Broadway's most dynamic new talent.

Journey back to the Gatsby era, when flappers and bootleggers rubbed elbows at parties in clandestine speakeasies. Joining the Boston Pops is the innovative New York-based jazz band The Hot Sardines, making its Boston Pops debut. Blending standards with Dixieland music and Parisian flair into a surprising and captivating sound, the versatile band-which also includes a tap dancer-will capture the spirit of the 1920s and '30s with such tunes as "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen," "Some of These Days," and "St. James Infirmary." Soak in the atmosphere at the Pops cabaret tables, where patrons can enjoy food and drink "speakeasy-style" during the concert.

The fusion of circus with orchestra is a magical combination, and we are pleased to present the first Boston appearance of Cirque de la Symphonie. Aerial flyers, acrobats, contortionists, dancers, jugglers, balancers, and strongmen are among the talented artists who will take the stage. Thrill to the musical acrobatics of the outstanding Boston Pops musicians as they synchronize their performance of spectacular classical music to the astounding feats of the circus performers. Cirque de la Symphonie performances have prompted such accolades as, "mesmerized adults and children," "wonder, surprises, and enchantment," and "a breathtaking display of agility and incomparable beauty."

Attend a screening of the complete 1939 classic film The Wizard of Oz, as the Boston Pops performs the beloved soundtrack, which includes "Over the Rainbow," named the greatest movie song of all time. New technology allows the original vocals and dialogue to remain intact while the score is performed live by the full orchestra, providing a brand-new way to immerse yourself in the wonders of Oz, the perfect family entertainment. Costumes are welcome, but optional.

"The Very Best of the Boston Pops" 2014 Boston Pops season, May 7-June 14, will showcase the amazing range of music and entertainment that audiences have come to expect from "America's Orchestra," under the direction of Keith Lockhart, at Symphony Hall in Boston, MA.

The versatile Jason Alexander, who first graced the Boston Pops stage in 1996, makes a welcome return for the 2014 season opener, and we are delighted he is bringing his singular brand of entertainment back to Symphony Hall. In addition to creating roles on television (most famously Seinfeld's George Costanza) and in films, he is a multi-talented Broadway veteran and Tony Award-winner. This memorable evening of singing, dancing, and comedy will include selections from Pippin, The Music Man, and Merrily We Roll Along, plus a few delightful surprises.

Actor, dancer, singer-songwriter Matthew Morrison is best known for starring in multiple Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, including his portrayal of Link Larkin in Hairspray on Broadway, his Tony-nominated performance in The Light On The Piazza, and most notably for his Emmy- and Golden Globe-nominated role as Will Schuester on the Fox television show Glee. Come and see Morrison perform hits from his forthcoming album of Broadway standards, and be wowed by this modern song-and-dance man.

Join Boston Pops Laureate Conductor John Williams as he celebrates decades of unforgettable music-making. His contributions to cinematic music are unsurpassed, and include such beloved scores as Star Wars, Jaws, Indiana Jones, E.T., the Harry Potter series, and so many more.

The Music City Hitmakers tribute to the Troops set will include hits Blessed, American Honey, Out Last Night, It's America and more... Plus a debut of the song 'Free' written by the Music City Hit-Makers for the Boston Pops as well as a special performance of the song "Change Your Mind" written by Hillary Lindsey, Gordie Sampson and Troy Verges and performed by Claire Bowen (Scarlett) and Sam Palladio (Gunner) in the ABC hit series Nashville!

The Boston Pops and Keith Lockhart will invoke the sophistication and style of the 1960s in concerts throughout May and June inspired by AMC's period drama Mad Men. Song stylist Steve Lippia, whom Keith Lockhart has called, "the absolute vocal reincarnation of the Sinatra sound," will step into the limelight, to perform the smoky standards that define the chic sounds of the '60's. Lockhart, Lippia, and the Boston Pops will perform everything ranging from this era's lounge Latin to the tunes of the British Invasion, as well as such classic songs as "Fly Me to the Moon," "Mack the Knife," and "The Best is Yet to Come".

Broadway and television star Megan Hilty joins the Pops for an unforgettable evening. After stints on Broadway in "Wicked," "9 to 5: The Musical," and "Gentleman Prefer Blondes," she is now one of TV's newest stars of the hit series, Smash. In addition to Megan Hilty, the Pops will perform some of Hollywood's greatest love songs.

Revel in the rousing sounds of Gospel music. The passion, the delight, the celebration that is at the heart of all Gospel music will entertain and enlighten you throughout the concert. Featured is the Boston Pops Gospel Choir, whose exuberant sound will leave you walking on air as you leave Symphony Hall after one of the Boston Pops most popular nights.

From the Toy Story trilogy and Cars to The Incredibles and Up, Pixar has forever changed filmmaking and given audiences of all ages some of the most beloved characters in cinematic history. Now, for the first time ever, the Boston Pops presents "Pixar in Concert," with visually stunning clips and memorable scores from Pixar's thirteen feature films including Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc., and its latest release, Brave. All of your favorite Pixar characters come to life on screen in this highflying, heart-pounding night of non-stop entertainment. Presentation licensed by Disney Concert Library ©Disney/ Pixar.

Join Broadway stars Jodi Benson, Doug LaBrecque, and Donna McKechnie as they pay tribute to the wonderful talents of one of the greatest contributors to music over the last century, Marvin Hamlisch. As composer, Hamlisch won virtually every major award: three Oscars, four Grammys, four Emmys, a Tony and three Golden Globes. On Broadway, he wrote the music for the long-running show, A Chorus Line and They're Playing Our Song. His more than forty motion picture scores include his Oscarwinning score and song for The Way We Were and his adaptation of Scott Joplin's music for The Sting. This memorable concert will feature music from his vast array of timeless music.