'Tis the season, and the PhilHallmonics were back at the Bruno Walter Auditorium with a program of holiday favorites. Phil Hall (piano) with a bass player and a reed player (saxophone, oboe, clarinet, and flute, if I’m remembering correctly), plus ten Ladies, all in a program staged and choreographed by Sharon Halley, provided a really fun afternoon. I saw the first of two performances on Saturday.
The program was a very nice mix of secular and serious (though not overly religious), with some broad (pun intended) humor, a bit of dancing, solos and ensemble numbers (with real harmony), and an appearance by Santa (including a breakaway Santa suit!). While some of the ladies were more polished performers than others, there were no clunkers amid the 32 numbers on the program. Unfortunately, there were a few technical glitches resulting in some microphone “pops” and a bit of feedback.
Highlights included I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm, I’ll Be Home for Christmas (simple, yet effective), a jazzy version of The Christmas Waltz, Christmas Time Is Here (for all you Peanuts fans), A Marshmallow World/You’re All I Want for Christmas, and Silent Night (piano, bass, and reeds).
Serious presentations included A La Nanita Nana, Sweet Little Jesus Boy, I Remember, and Hallelujah (not the one you’re thinking of), while On This Winter’s Night added a touch of country and Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! gave us a bit of the old soft shoe.
In the humor department, Mister Santa involved the use of potholder Santas—I’m a sucker for that sort of thing! Suzy Snowflake, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, Mele Kalikimake, The Man with the Bag, and the finale, A Swingin’ Christmas, also added dashes of humor.
All in all, this was a fun way to ease into the holiday spirit. Thank you, PhilHallmonics and thank you, Lincoln Center Library for the Performing Arts.
ConcertMeister
I always enjoy your remarks and enthusiasm.
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