Ask the Maestro

The Maestro is Carl Topilow, music director and conductor of the Cleveland Pops Orchestra. Carl is a head of the orchestral program at the Cleveland Institute of Music and music director of the National Repertory Orchestra based in Colorado. See complete bio.

Ask the Maestro a question now, and you will be notified when your answer is available on this page.

Russ Jankowski of Rocky River, Ohio asked:

I am looking forward to your March 23rd concert featuring selections of Leroy Anderson .. One of my favorite composers. His light stlye and repeatable melodies are simply a joy to listen to .. which I do very frequently. Growing up in the 50's, I heard many of his selections on the radio, but more often on television as background to the very popular games shows -- Syncopated Clock for instance. Now don't laugh but I do recall hearing Belle Of the Ball at the Ringling Brothers Circus as background for the trapeeze acts! Nonetheless, when I hear his music I am filled with wonderful memories of a great childhood here in Cleveland. I hope that Serenata (recorded by Sarah Vaughn), Blue Tango, Belle,Bugler's Holiday and Forgotten Dreams will be included in the selections for the evening. I have never had the pleasure of hearing his concerto. Thanks in advance for an evening of music to remember!

The Maestro says:

Thanks for your message. We'll have many of the pieces you mentioned, plus some longer works, including his piano concerto, and vocal selections from his musical Goldilocks.

Louise and Ed and Rebecca and Sarah of Seven Hills, Ohio asked:

What happened to the Halloween concert? We and our grandchildren enjoyed last year's presenatation at Severance. We were looking forward to this years program and were very disappointed to find that none is scheduled.

The Maestro says:

Many thanks for your message. We too are disappointed that the Halloween concert was not to be this year. We had a program planned, but there were scheduling problems at Severance Hall, and the proposed Oct 28 date didn't work out. Our first annual holiday pops might be a nice family alternative. We will be doing concerts at the Allen Theater in Playhouse Square on December 8, 9 , 15, and 16. Thanks for your interest in our orchestra.

Pat Brown of Plano, Texas asked:

Last Sept. I enjoyed your concert very much in North Canton, Ohio. I was so enthused I sent a copy of the program to Andrew Litton who conducts our Dallas Symphony. I was hoping you and he could be together in a concert. What a great concert that would be. He wrote back a letter telling me he went to school with you in New York City. What a small world! Are you planning a concert in North Canton this year. I am originally from Louisville, Ohio. We have been going to the Dallas Symphony concerts since Andrew Litton came here. Your concert in North Canton was terrific. Keep up the good work.

The Maestro says:

Thanks so much for your message. Thanks to First Merit Bank, we are indeed returning to North Canton on September 8, 2001 for a concert in the same location as last year's. The orchestra just finished its Severance Hall series with a sold out performance last Friday. The concert, which was a patriotic salute performed in conjunction with the First Army Band and Soldiers Chorus, was enthusiastically received. Next season will bring the orchestra to downtown Cleveland for Holiday concerts at Playhouse Square, and our Severance Hall series will include our annual New Year's Eve concert and dance as well as a series of 5 concerts. Andrew Litton, the brilliant conductor of the Dallas Symphony, has indeed had an outstanding career. I was woodwind instructor at the Fieldston School in the Bronx when he studied the oboe with me! Thanks for your support of the Cleveland Pops Orchestra! Please say hello if you are able to attend the concert in North Canton, or any other performance.

Rhonda Vorhees of Hunting Valley, OH asked:

My fiance and I are looking for something different to do this New Year's Eve, and I'm considering the Cleveland Pops' New Year's Eve concert. But my fiancee thinks classical music is boring. Would the New Year's Even concert still be worth our time? Should I risk it?

The Maestro says:

Absolutely! The Cleveland Pops is more than just great music. The New Year's Eve show also has the Cleveland Pops Dancers and championship swing dancers Joel Plys and Valerie Salstrom. Also, since our selections that evening will be from the best of Broadway and the silver screen, chances are that your fiancee will have heard and most likely even enjoy most of the pieces we'll be playing. And certainly he won't want to pass up a romantic evening dancing with you onstage after the concert!