The new album.
Here’s some news you can use: The Boston Pops are making a Red Sox album.
The album hits stores April 6 — just in time for opening day. The Pops will start their 124th season, their 15th with Conductor Keith Lockhart, a month later.
I’m guessing in honor the album, the Pops came up with this theme for their season: America’s Favorite Pastime.
The venerable orchestra will sprinkle baseball-themed segments, featuring celebrity narrators, and film clips throughout 2009 season.
What are those themed segments? Well there’s new arrangements of Fenway’s traditional fan anthem “Sweet Caroline,” “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” Sousa’s classic “Stars and Stripes Forever,” and the musical version of baseball’s famous heart-wrencher, “Casey at the Bat,” with a special guest narrator.
On the album, listeners will hear Sousa’s “National Game March” highlighted by the crack of David Ortiz’s bat. Listeners also get a new arrangement of the Dropkick Murphys’ “I’m Shippin’ Up to Boston,” the theme song for Jonathan Papelbon’s Irish victory dance. The album includes the voices of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, John Oliver, conductor.
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
Keith Lockhart
- Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops kick off the Symphony Hall season on Wednesday, May 6, with a gala “Opening Night at Pops” filled with festive music, chilled champagne, and special guest, the legendary Broadway star and cabaret performer Barbara Cook.
- The incomparable John Williams (aka the guy behind the “Star Wars” and “Superman” themes among many others) will lead Film Nights, May 26-30.
- Then there are special tributes, including one to the legendary Ballets Russes, featuring some of the music and dance that catapulted ballet to a new level of artistic achievement (May 19). Apollo 11 Anniversary celebrates the 40th anniversary of the first manned mission to the moon with historic NASA footage accompanied by excerpts from Holst’s “The Planets” (June 12 & 13).
- Today’s most gifted vocalists will be joining the Pops this season. Linda Eder sings the songs of Judy Garland (June 9 & 10) and Michael Feinstein’s classy “The Sinatra Project” (June 19 & 20) is an homage to Ol’ Blue Eyes, conducted by Erich Kunzel in a welcome return to the Pops podium for the first time in 12 years. Tony nominee Michael Cavanaugh reels through a high-spirited evening of Billy Joel favorites (May 8 & 9).
- Two of the Pops’ most beloved conductors, Harry Ellis Dickson (May 20) and the legendary Arthur Fiedler, whose annual tribute this year also celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of the “King of Swing,” Benny Goodman (June 2 & 5).
- The season ends with Let’s Dance (June 21). The rollicking dance party features music that takes audiences from the percolating rhythms of swing to the pop favorites of today. Erich Kunzel leads the orchestra in this dazzling dance fest. A special dance floor will be cleared for the occasion.
Programs and artists are subject to change. For current program information, dial 617-CONCERT (266-2378). For further information, please call the BSO at 617-266-1492 or visit www.bostonpops.org.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets for the 2009 Boston Pops season at Symphony Hall go on sale at 10 a.m. on Feb. 23. All performances start at 8 p.m. with the addition of a special Saturday matinee at 3 p.m. on May 9. Tickets for “Opening Night at Pops” on May 6 are priced from $30 to $119. All other tickets for the 2009 Boston Pops are priced from $20 to $89.
Tickets may be purchased online at www.bostonpops.org or by phone through SymphonyCharge at 617-266-1200 or 888-266-1200, Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (with a $5.50 handling fee for each ticket ordered online or by phone). Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Symphony Hall box office, open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and on Sunday from 1 p.m. through the first concert intermission on concert dates. Most major credit cards, personal checks, and cash are accepted at the box office. For Group Sales of 25 or more, please call 617-638-9345 or 800-933-4255.
