Classical Meets Cabaret

continued

When Bolcom and Morris take the stage for the second half, they'll offer the cabaret part of this classical-meets-cabaret concert. Drawing on their enormous repertoire--they've released more than two dozen recordings--they will, Morris says, "restore some songs we've not done for many years." Choosing material from the Big Five of modern American popular music--Berlin, Kern, Gershwin, Porter, and Rodgers & Hart--plus songs by Kurt Weill and Leiber & Stoller, they'll also showcase Bolcom originals, including cameo appearances by his Minicabs, tiny tunes with lyrics by longtime collaborator Arnold Weinstein. A sample: "I will never forgive you," repeated three times for emphasis, before concluding with, "for my behavior!"

Bolcom and Morris present all these with that perfect blend of sophistication, wit, charm, and elegance that is the trademark of both great cabaret songs and their performances.   

[Originally published in November, 2009.]