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Crescendo
Ignace "Iggy" Jang
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Hamlisch to do it better with Honolulu Pops
Oahu music fans have the rare chance to enjoy an evening with legendary Hollywood and Broadway composer Marvin Hamlisch next week. We're setting the stage for a concert that has "blockbuster" written all over it!
Marvin Hamlisch
Performs with the Honolulu Symphony Pops
In concert: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16
Place: Blaisdell Concert Hall
Tickets: $28 to $78
Call: 792-2000 or visit honolulusymphony.com
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Marvin Hamlisch will join the Honolulu Symphony Pops for one night only, bringing some of the greatest music ever written for the movies, television and stage. Think "A Chorus Line," plus hits such as "The Way We Were," "Sophie's Choice," "Ordinary People," "The Sting," "The Spy Who Loved Me," "Frankie and Johnny" and "The Mirror Has Two Faces."
As a composer and performer, Hamlisch can tell the tale of more than four decades in the industry. He's won three Oscars, four Grammys, four Emmys, a Tony, three Golden Globes and the Pulitzer Prize. More than that, he's earned a reputation as a genuinely nice person. He's also really funny. Expect a number of his hilarious stories at the concert.
Hamlisch has worn many hats in music. He entered Juilliard at the age of 7. While in his teens, he co-wrote two hit songs for Lesley Gore. He also co-wrote several songs for a young Liza Minnelli. He then accompanied her and her mother, the wonderful Judy Garland, on the piano at Garland's Christmas party. Talk about a great way to break into the business!
in his 20s, Hamlisch was Barbra Streisand's rehearsal pianist for "Funny Girl." He composed scores for such directors as Woody Allen and Sam Spiegel. Among his many musical collaborations, his relationship with Carole Bayer Sager stands out. They wrote "Nobody Does It Better," which became a huge hit for Carly Simon. More recently, Hamlisch was Streisand's music director for tours of the United States and England, and her television special, "Barbra Streisand: The Concert" (for which he received two of his Emmy Awards).
We're geared up for a fun-filled concert that spotlights Hamlisch's music as well as music by other renowned Hollywood composers -- including theme songs from Hollywood's golden era and a tribute to Richard Rodgers (who together with Oscar Hammerstein composed many of the most popular musicals ever). Distinguished tenor J. Mark McVey, who plays Jean Valjean in "Les Misérables," will also join us.
As a conductor, Hamlisch has also paid his dues. He's the principal pops conductor for the National Symphony Orchestra, plus the Pittsburgh and San Diego Symphony orchestras. We're honored that he's chosen the Honolulu Symphony Pops for this one-of-a-kind musical soirée, filled with songs we love and a whole lot of laughter.
Ignace "Iggy" Jang is the Honolulu Symphony's concertmaster. His column will appear on the Monday prior to each concert of the season to illuminate works to be performed. E-mail comments and questions to Jang at
suggestions@honolulusymphony.com