National Chorale presents

A GERSHWIN CELEBRATION

Artistic Director: EVERETT McCORVEY

Featuring

KAREN SLACK, JANINAH BURNETT, ROBERT MACK, and KENNETH OVERTON
Pianist: MICHAEL FENNELLY

The Profession Performing Arts High School Choir
Conductor: VAGARSHAK OHANYAN
Pianist: STEVE VAUGHAN

David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
10 Lincoln Center Plaza
October 21, 2016

The National Chorale began its 2016-2017 with a sure-fire winner – A GERSHWIN CELEBRATION. The warm-up was a medley by The Professional Performing Arts High School Choir of some of the prolific songwriter’s classics, including “Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off,” “They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” and “Strike Up the Band.” Worth the price of admission on its own was Michael Fennelly’s arrangement of “Rhapsody In Blue.” Exquisite and majestic, its interpretation of “a musical portrait of New York City” would make any city dweller swell with pride. And of course, “Porgy & Bess, A Celebration of Songs,” arranged by Robert Russell Bennett and narrated by Ami Brabson, was an all-time favorite. A GERSHWIN CELEBRATION was a magnificent tribute to George Gershwin.

I don’t usually critique audiences but this particular one deserves special attention. Picture taking, texting and talking, hats remaining on heads, people arriving late and leaving mid-performance, and general rudeness made one long for the good old days when respect was shown for the performers and fellow audience members. A GERSHWIN CELEBRATION was worthy of a two-hour pause, and if that doesn’t seem possible, then perhaps you should stay home and allow others to enjoy music.

- Laurie Lawson -