On the Road in 2007: Cincinnati by Beth Breinholt of the First Alto Section The Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati was the place to be on Friday night, June 29. The incredible Ohio River view, banks heavily forested with trees, created the perfect atmosphere and backdrop for the perfect combination: the Cincinnati Pops and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Erich Kunzel, director of the Pops since its origination in 1977, shared the conductor’s podium with Craig Jessop and Mack Wilberg of the Choir. Cincinnati's Riverbend Music Center. (Click to enlarge). The Choir, continuing its 2007 two-week summer tour, marked Cincinnati as concert number seven, but with a different twist. Instead of being accompanied by its sister volunteer organization, the Orchestra at Temple Square, the concert in Cincinnati provided the opportunity for the two icons of American music to perform together. (A small percussion ensemble from Orchestra at Temple Square accompanied “Betelehemu,” a rousing Nigerian Christmas carol that delighted the audience.) Choir women pose for a photo in front of the Ohio River at Riverbend Music Center. (Click to enlarge). Instead of concertgoers hearing some of the folk hymns performed at the previous venues, the music of Miklós Rózsa's Ben Hur filled the evening air with selections from the movie soundtrack, including the well recognized “Miracle.” This repertoire was selected to commemorate the last collaboration between the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Kunzel and the Pops which was the 2005 recording Rósza: Three Choral Suites with Telarc. Kunzel honored the Choir by asking permission to break tradition and led Choir members in a bow at the conclusion of the Rósza selections and also several other of the evening’s songs. Mr. Kunzel asked the Choir to try something new: taking a bow to acknowledge the audience. It is clearly a work in progress, but added to the delightful spirit of the evening. (Click to enlarge). As the night progressed, the music of the second half highlighted the Choir’s latest release, Showtime, which included “When You Wish Upon a Star,” “Who Will Buy?,” “Where is Love?,” and “Sunrise, Sunset,” all quite suitable for the Pops-Choir collaboration. From the first to the last note, everyone clearly had a wonderful time. (Click to enlarge). The Pops orchestra is one of the world’s most active classical pops ensembles with a stellar recording history. Rósza: Three Choral Suites marked the Pops' 79th recording, and five of the now 80-plus recordings have received Grammy nominations. Their year-round performing schedule is now in its 28th season. They have recorded many events for television including their eighth PBS special, released in 2006. The Cincinnati Pops has conducted many tours in their own right, some of them worldwide. The Choir’s accomplishments are similar: it recorded 3 CDs for Telarc before forming its own recording label in 2003. Since that time it has released 11 CDs and 7 DVDs. Its weekly broadcast, Music and the Spoken Word, is now in its 79th year of broadcasting. The Choir’s 4th PBS special, Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir featuring Sissel, will air in December 2007. The maestros greet: Erich Kunzel (left), conductor of the Cincinnati Pops, and Craig Jessop of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. (Click to enlarge). Besides being the Pops Maestro, Erich Kunzel is a regular guest conductor throughout the nation as well with orchestras around the world, including multiple productions in Asia, specifically with a historic tour to China. Some of his work has been telecast on BBC Worldwide and PBS as part of the Great Performance series. Kunzel is the recipient of numerous honors and awards in recognition of his outstanding achievements in the performing arts. He is the most successful Billboard Classical Crossover recording artist in history, with 54 of the 83 Cincinnati Pops releases appearing on the charts. The number of recordings he has made with Telarc alone is unprecedented. Mr. Kunzel seemed to really enjoy conducting the Choir. After the afternoon rehearsal he joked that they all should go out and purchase homes so they could stay in Cincinnati! (Click to enlarge). Speaking to the Choir prior to leaving Salt Lake, Director Craig Jessop acknowledged his deep respect for the work of the Cincinnati Pops under the direction of Erich Kunzel. “It is a huge honor,” Jessop said, “to have the opportunity to share the stage with such a renowned organization.” At the rehearsal Friday morning in Cincinnati, the Choir easily adapted to Kunzel’s clear and exuberant conducting style, accented by his six foot plus slender yet commanding frame. He charmed the choir with his endearing and complimentary remarks. “Do me a favor—stay here all the time. It’s a joy to make music with you.” The choir members readily concurred. At the conclusion of the practice, Kunzel’s parting instruction to the choir was, “You’re staying right here in Cincinnati—go buy a home!”