CSO Pops salutes Boston Pops - Oct. 25

photo Composers Arthur Fiedler and John Williams and guest soloist Michael Chertock, from left.

If you goWhat: Chattanooga Symphony & Opera's Boston Pops TributeWhen: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25Where: Tivoli Theatre, 709 Broad St.Admission: $15-$81Phone: 423-267-8583Website: www.ChattanoogaSymphony.org

A pianist who toured Asia with the Boston Pops will be the featured soloist for the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera's pops concert saluting the Boston orchestra and two of its esteemed conductors.

"Boston Pops Tribute: A Salute to Arthur Fiedler and John Williams" will be presented Saturday, Oct. 25, at 7:30 p.m. in the Tivoli Theatre. Guest soloist Michael Chertock will be featured on Mozart and Rachmaninoff pieces concluding the first half of the program.

"The first half of the program will be all music associated with Fiedler," says Sarah Marczynski, CSO community engagement and education manager. "The second half will be all Williams."

Fiedler joined the Boston Pops in 1915 as a violinist before being appointed its 18th conductor in 1930. The late conductor held the position until 1979.

Williams succeeded Fiedler in 1980. He remained the Boston Pops conductor until 1993 and is now pops laureate conductor. Williams is known as much for his composing talent as his conducting. Many of cinema's most recognizable film scores are his work: "Jaws," the Star Wars series, "Superman," "E.T.," "Saving Private Ryan" and "Schindler's List."

Marczynski said the program will open with Sousa's "Washington Post" march, followed by a medley of music associated with George M. Cohan, including "You're a Grand Old Flag" and "Yankee Doodle Dandy."

CSO concertmaster Holly Mulcahey will be featured in the opening two numbers of the second half: "Fiddler on the Roof" and "Schindler's List."

The third piece is one everyone will recognize, even if they don't know its name. In 1985, Williams was commissioned by NBC to compose a music package for the network's news spots. He wrote "The Mission" in four movements, two of which continue to air frequently, including one as the opening of "NBC Nightly News."

The pops concert will conclude with "Flight to Neverland" from Williams' score for "Hook," which starred the late Robin Williams.

Chertock made his concert debut at age 17 playing Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3, according to information from the CSO. He has built a successful career as a soloist, performing with symphonic orchestras from Maryland to Oregon. In 1994, he released his first CD, "Cinematic Piano," a collection of his original arrangements of music from movies. He has since recorded three more albums.

He added conducting to his resume in 2001, when he stepped in for maestro Carmon de Leone in performances of Cincinnati Ballet's "The Nutcracker." He is now conductor of the Blue Ash-Montgomery Symphony in Cincinnati.

Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.

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