“Rock ’n’ roll may not be the first genre that comes to mind when one thinks about the Abilene Philharmonic, but conductor David Itkin wants to change that mindset,” writes Janet Van Vleet in Friday’s (2/13) Abilene Reporter-News (Texas; subscription required). “ ‘We give the impression that we never listen to anything else,’ he said about orchestra musicians. ‘We all grew up listening to rock ’n’ roll. I started playing guitar and drums in two different rock bands in high school.’ [At] the Feb. 21 Pops II concert, ‘50 Years of Rock ’n’ Roll’ … the Abilene orchestra will be joined by Jeans ’n Classics, a group made up of vocalists and a rhythm section featuring keyboards, guitar, electric bass and drums.… ‘They are singing the songs the way they were originally meant to be heard,’ Itkin said. ‘Jeans ’n Classics is one of the best-known alternative symphonic presentations.’ … Songs in the program will include ‘September’ by Earth, Wind & Fire; ‘He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother’ by The Justice Collective; ‘Sweet Dreams’ by the Eurythmics; and ‘Skyfall’ by Adele…. ‘The reason I know the Adele song is … I’m a huge James Bond fan.’ ”
Posted February 17, 2015
