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The New York Pops – Kelli and Matthew: Home for the Holidays
by Stewart Schulman When Kelli O’Hara and Matthew Morrison took the stage at Carnegie Hall on December 19th and 20th, as part of The New York Pops annual holiday concert, it was the first time these two stars of Broadway, film and television had performed together since doing The Light in the Piazza in 2005 and South Pacific in 2008. Backed by The Pops and Essential Voices USA, these luminescent performers offered up a selection of traditional holiday tunes and Broadway songs. Their reunion was nothing short of spectacular. During the course of the evening Mr. Morrison, first in grey dinner jacket, then black tuxedo, and Ms. O’Hara, first in a white sequined gown, then a scarlet one, performed four duets: “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” “Balcony Scene (Tonight)” from West Side Story, and “Believe,” from The Polar Express. It was a glorious blending of two spectacular vocal instruments—the buttery melting of sultry, yet powerful voices. These two are perfection together—even more so, when backed up by that incredible orchestra, masterfully conducted by Music Director Steven Reineke. As soloists they each offered up two selections. Mr. Morrison first sang a medley titled “I’ll Be Home for Christmas / Mele Kalikimaka” while accompanying himself on his ukulele and offering up part of the piece in Hawaiian. He explained that he’d spent a great deal of his time growing up in Hawaii and had even just recently been married there. Later in the concert he loosened his tuxedo tie and dreamily crooned out “Younger Than Springtime,” from South Pacific—an evening highlight. Ms. O’Hara’s first solo piece showcased the purity and plaintive sound of her voice as she sang “I Wonder as I Wander,” a hauntingly soulful piece. Prior to her second solo, Santa arrived with an elf to greet the audience, setting the mood for Kelli’s glorious rendition of “Oh Holy Night.” Backed up the Pops and the Essential Voices USA chorus, Kelli ‘s powerful rendering of this traditional piece resonated throughout the great hall. As she hit her final stratospheric note, the crowd took to its feet cheering, leaving Maestro Reineke to comment: “Well, Kelly always has a way of figuring out how to stop a show!” Act 1 closed with “Songs of Freedom: A celebration of Chanukah,” an arrangement that was commissioned three years ago and performed at the time by Brian Stokes Mitchell. This evening it was performed with guest soloist Arlo Hill, and was conducted by Judith Clurman. The selection of jubilant Jewish songs featured Mr. Hill’s rich booming bass/baritone voice belting out “Oh Chanukah! Oh Chanukah!” “S’vivon,” “Lichvod Ha Chanukah,” “Mi Y’malel,” “Hameirot Halalu,” and ended with “Maoz Tsur.” During the course of the evening The Pops presented eight other selections, four performed by the orchestra alone, as well as four that featured Essential Voices USA. The four orchestral pieces were the ecumenical and festive “Holiday Overture” and “Winter Wonderland” medleys; a stirring performance of “Carol of the Bells” with special guest–student musician Farah Zulaikha, and a joyful, funky arrangement of “Jingle Bell Rock,” featuring Maestro Reineke’s most festive conducting of the night. At the song’s conclusion he blurted out “Well, that’s just fun!” And it was. The selections with Essential Voices USA were a sassy and playful arrangement of “We Need a Little Christmas;” a poignant, prayerful Christmas song “Wishes and Candles,” written in 1998 for Essential Voices USA; the Act 2 opener “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” which made you feel like running out and ice-skating in Central Park; and the Act 2 closer, a “Christmas Sing-Along” arranged by Steven Reineke. This last medley included Ms. O’Hara and Mr. Morrison, as well as Santa, and his elf, and got the whole room singing. During an a cappella humming section of “Silent Night”, you could almost hear a pin drop. The concert concluded with “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” wrapping up yet another thrilling evening where The NY Pops decked the halls with great music—as well as Kelli & Matthew’s excellent reunion! The rest of the 2014-2015 NY Pops
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