It was wonderful performing last week with the Brighton Symphony Orchestra in their Summer Pops concert in Buckland Park. While the weather remained dry for this outdoor concert, the wind presented its own set of challenges for the orchestra (and the music they tried to keep on their stands). And it was so gratifying to have so many people come and spend the night outside to enjoy this concert!
We started the vocal section of the concert with On the Street Where You Live from the 1957 Lerner and Loewe musical My Fair Lady. What treat to be able to sing to the lush, original orchestration for this piece! This was followed by Moonlight Becomes You from the 1942 Hope and Crosby comedy Road to Morocco. This piece was written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke for this film, and just “oozes” Bing Crosby in both its words and melody. I was happy to include this song in my upcoming album Let’s Go to the Movies, and it was a privilege to be able to perform it with this wonderful group.
We followed with On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever) from the 1965 musical of the same name by Burton Lane and (again) Alan Lerner. From a plot involving ESP, hypnosis, and reincarnation came this delightful song – which was also covered by (among others) Detroit Tigers pitcher Denny McLain on organ (!) in 1968. We then closed this section of the concert with I’ve Got Rhythm, written by George and Ira Gershwin for their 1930 musical Girl Crazy – which served as Ethel Merman’s Broadway debut.
It is always a pleasure performing with this great group – many thanks to the Brighton Symphony Orchestra for inviting me to join them in this concert.