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What: Omaha Symphony under Michael Krajewski performs patriotic pops concerts
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday;
2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St.
Tickets: $15 to $80; call 345-0606.
A Fourth of July concert at Thanksgiving?
It makes perfect sense when you consider that Erich Kunzel was originally scheduled to conduct this weekend’s patriotic pops concerts with the Omaha Symphony. Kunzel, who died Sept. 1, was America’s conductor.
For nearly 20 years, he led the National Symphony Orchestra’s annual televised Fourth of July concert on the steps of the U.S. Capitol.
As far as the public was concerned, it was always Independence Day whenever Kunzel mounted the stage.
Michael Krajewski, who’s now slated to conduct the concerts, was a graduate student at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music when he first saw Kunzel conduct.
In addition to his busy guest-conducting schedule, Kunzel had also been principal pops conductor of the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra for 44 years.
“Kunzel conducted with a level of energy and enthusiasm that’s hard to match,” Krajewski said.
This weekend’s program has a singular theme. But from a stylistic point of view, it’s a patriotic potpourri.
The concerts will include everything from traditional marches to patriotic pop tunes and Broadway songs.
The concerts will also feature three vocal soloists — Max Quinlan, Zachary Prince and Mark Willett — who will perform along with the University of Nebraska Concert Choir and Omaha Symphonic Chorus.
“It’s going to be very inspiring,” Krajewski said.
Contact the writer:
444-1076, john.pitcher@owh.com
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