Orchestral pops conductors seem to have a sixth sense about what audiences want to hear; which explains why concerts highlighting contemporary hits, or updates of old classics will always be included on a symphony’s season calendar. “If you are alive, then you have heard Paul McCartney’s music,” said Pops Conductor Michael Krajewski, who, along with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, presents “Live and Let Die: A Tribute to Paul McCartney” at the Music Center at Strathmore.
| ONSTAGE |
| ‘Live and Let Die: A Tribute to Paul McCartney’ |
| » Where: The Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda |
| » When: 8 p.m. Thursday |
| » Info: $33 to $93; 877-BSO-1444 or 410-783-8000; bsomusic.org |
“Paul McCartney, by all rights, is the most successful singer-songwriter ever.” Kajewski continued, echoing the million opinions of fans, composers and musicians worldwide. “He has set all kinds of records, like most number one hits and the biggest attendance at concerts.”
Now in his early 70s and having started when he was a teenager, McCartney’s music is generationally loved and collected.
Thursday’s tribute is in two parts. The first half will consist of orchestral arrangements of Beatles’ songs and his work after the “Fab Four.”
“He has done classical composing and we’re going to play one of those pieces,” Kajewski said. “It’s called ‘A Leaf’ which was first written as a concert piece for piano alone. I arranged it as an orchestral piece.”
The first half will also include string quartet arrangements of songs McCartney wrote especially for his late wife, Linda, all of which gives the audience a different perspective of the music as played by a symphony orchestra.
“The second half of the show will be completely opposite in that we’re going to do a very authentic reproduction of Paul’s music,” Kajewski explained. This is a pops [version] that [Tony Kishman] tours with and every now and then I get a chance to conduct it.”
Kishman, bearing an uncanny likeness to McCartney in both appearance and voice, has been recreating the musical genius of McCartney since 1977. In addition to this tour, he has starred in the Broadway production of “Beatlemania” and tribute shows, Twist and Shout and Classical Mystery Tour.
“[Kishman] will come on stage with his band and together with the orchestra will play Beatles, Wings and solo songs,” Kajewski said. “We will be authentically reproducing these songs with the way the instruments were used in the recordings. In ‘When I’m Sixty-four’ two clarinets were featured so that’s what we’ll use.”
Kajewski promises that all of the pieces will sound exactly like the records, adding that “Tony always gets a huge response and the audience will go crazy.”
