Severance Hall is a magical facility. Always has been. I have seen and heard
a fair amount of sheer genius there, whether it be the world-renowned Cleveland
Orchestra or a jazz legend like Herbie Hancock and his trio. I can't imagine
experiencing anything like last Friday night anywhere else in the world.
And that's saying a lot.
See, I got to add one of those performances to the list. Cleveland Pops
conductor and music director Carl Topilow and Cleveland Jazz Orchestra music
director Jack Schantz collaborated on a Pops season-opener concert called
(fondly enough) "Side by Side." This live collaboration featured
the music of jazz legends like Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Duke Ellington and
Dave Brubeck, as well as jazz arrangements from composers John Williams and
Richard Rogers...all as performed by their respective musical outlets.
The performance was sold out, and the selections and musical mastery was "souled
out." Maestro Topilow rocked the house with dozens of clarinet solo
runs that were simply staggering. His work on the Benny Goodman Medley (arranged
by trombonist Paul Ferguson, who plays with both organizations) was particulary
inspiring. Other soloists included Schantz (trumpet); Kent Englehardt (saxophone);
John Klayman (saxophone) and deft vocals from luminary Susan Hesse.
"Slaughter on Tenth Avenue," Bob Brookmeyer's "Boom Boom" and
Bruebeck's "Blue Rondo ala Turk" were among the highlights, as
was a "comparative narrative" in a side-by-side smattering of Tchaikovsky
and Ellington's "Nutcracker" suites. Ferguson's arrangement of "Astieri" was
the dark horse favorite for this particular reviewer.
Both the orchestras were a great fit and compliment to one another, although
there were some moments where it seemed diehard Pops fans weren't sure what
to make of the more progressive stylings that the CJO delivered. That will
change over time, as the audiences cross-pollenate.
And speaking of cross-pollenation, not only is Cleveland lucky to have these
two orchestras in town—both obviously world-class—but Cleveland
arts organizations as a whole are better for knowing that such partnerships
can exist and flower in such a robust and fulfilling way. Working together
in such a manner is definitely the way of the future for arts organizations,
and I can't wait to see what these (and other) organizations come up with
next in collaboration. Or, as they say, side by side.
© 2005 The Plain Dealer. Used with permission.
