Lockhart and Boston Pops bring holiday show to PPAC
From now through New Year’s Eve, the Boston Pops and conductor Keith Lockhart are going full tilt.
“Us and Santa are the hardest-working folks this time of year,” said Lockhart, who will conduct 45 performances of Holiday Pops from Dec. 2-31, including one Sunday at the Providence Performing Arts Center.
This is his 21st season leading the Holiday Pops, and Lockhart said two things have changed since he first picked up the baton in Boston.
“I’m two decades older,” Lockhart said, laughing. “But I think the Holiday Pops tradition has grown even bigger in that time. People who went as children are now bringing their own kids, which is cool and weird at the same time.”
Like Boston Ballet’s "Nutcracker," the Holiday Pops is one of the city’s most treasured Christmastime events. The concerts brim with good cheer and festivity, offering up holiday favorites like "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," plus classical treasures and fresh works. Variety in selecting the Holiday Pops programming is always a challenge, Lockhart admits.
"We want to present people with a program that feels familiar with the traditions they love, but not to repeat ourselves," he said.
New this season is "Wonderful!", which is inspired by the holiday classic "It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," and arranged by David Chase, who created the Boston Pops’ popular arrangement of "The Twelve Days of Christmas."
Lockhart is also excited to share a new piece titled "The Christmas Story," which focuses on the sacred side of the holiday.
"It has words from the gospels and traditional songs. It has parts for a narrator, chorus and orchestra. It’s beautiful and poignant," Lockhart said.
"The Christmas Story" was arranged by Tony-winning, Boston-based orchestrator Bill Elliott. A montage of images drawn by famed children’s book author and illustrator Tomie dePaola will accompany it.
The second half of the concert includes the popular "’Twas the Night Before Christmas," presented with guest narrators and the crowd-pleasing sing-along.
" 'Sleigh Ride' is our song. We’d be buried in our own pudding if we didn’t do it,” Lockhart said. Other chestnuts on tap are "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" and "Winter Wonderland."
Lockhart said his favorite Christmas songs are "Angels We Have Heard on High," which he calls a "good old carol," and Mel Tormé’s "The Christmas Song."
The bulk of the performances will be at Symphony Hall, but the Pops will also take the show on the road. In addition to Providence, they're performing in Lowell, Massachusetts, and Manchester, New Hampshire. On some days, the orchestra will play a doubleheader.
On paper, it sounds like a grind, but Lockhart is quick to credit his group of world-class musicians, who make it look easy. Plus, Lockhart said having an audience that shows up ready to celebrate pumps up the volume on their performance. Holiday cheer is contagious.
"Hopefully, we can send them off with even more holiday spirit," Lockhart said.
As much as he enjoys every Holiday Pops performance, Lockhart said he loves Christmas morning with his three sons even more.
“Waking up with my kids, that’s the sweet spot," he said.
Oh, and if you’re wondering what to buy a busy conductor for Christmas? Lockhart says, "A week’s vacation on a deserted island with a cool drink in hand."
If you go ...
WHAT: Holiday Pops
WHEN: 2:30 p.m. Dec. 6
WHERE: Providence Performing Arts Center, 220 Weybosset St.
TICKETS: $58-$130
WEB: bso.org
