Reineke on Garland :: Carnegie's Iconic Celebration

When I sat down to chat with Steven Reineke he lives up to everything you would imagine of a talented maestro of his experience and credentials. He's in his second season as the Music Director of The New York Pops, and since taking over the orchestra as conductor has been charged with leading the Carnegie Hall concert series. Several minutes into our conversation, whether it's from his obvious charm, wit or candor, it's not long before I feel myself captivated by the virtuoso.

Reineke, "It's just like Meineke," he says, "although just with an 'R'" (although don't expect from him an oil change) has had his share of spectacles in his career having worked with the musically rich Maureen McGovern while conducting the Baltimore Symphony. At 25 he earned the prestige of landing the position of principal arranger and composer for the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra - Reineke was with them for 15 years. The Ohio born musician developed an early passion for music. "My father was a banker," Reineke shares, "and a folk guitar player on the side -�just for fun. He would sit on the edge of my bed, play his guitar and sing me to sleep." Reineke picked up the trumpet, and also taught himself to play the piano. He knew immediately he was going to go into music. "My dad playing me those songs -�was something that helped me as a Pops Conductor later on in life.

He took over for the founding conductor of the New York Pops, the incomparable Skitch Henderson who passed away in 2005. After a three year search, the chemistry between Reineke and the orchestra appeared a perfect fit, and he's since made New York City his home.

Do It Again

In his lush Midtown apartment, Reineke sipping casually on his glass of Scotch, we sat on the couch in his living room, not so far away from a piano. Of course there was a piano, and I had to ask him if he used it to entertain his guests? Does a gathering at Steven Reineke's bachelor pad turn into an impromptu musical cabaret night? "Of course!" As a mater of fact he suggests he might soon be rehearsing with his vocalist in the very room we are currently inhabiting.

And the show they will be preparing for is the closing of this year's season at Carnegie Hall celebrating one of entertainment's most cherished and beloved performers. "I wanted something really spectacular to end the season at Carnegie Hall," Reineke reveals, "and our closing concert just comes in weeks of the 50th anniversary of Judy Garland's iconic 1961 debut at Carnegie Hall."

Garland's performance brought out an unusually large audience of her fans and fellow performers and artist. "Many people call it 'The Greatest Night in Show Business' and it was quite the event to be at." The musical conductor can't hide his enthusiasm over reliving the moment. "It said that people were standing on their chairs cheering. The audience asked for so many encores, Garland ran out of music and had to sing songs she already had sung."

He'd always been a fan, and was introduced to Garland's work while familiarizing himself with the Great American Song Book, and as any musical studies major well knows, Garland mastered and popularized most of the standards. "She's always kind of been there for me, of course."

That’s Entertainment

"I wanted to do the show as it was done," meaning that Reineke will be masterfully conducting the orchestra and his performers through the set list in the order as performed by Garland herself, with all of the original music and arrangements. As you can imagine the daunting task for the conductor began with researching and analyzing the original material in order to recreate the event. "It turns out that Lorna Luft (Judy Garland's daughter with her third husband Sid Luft) has all the arrangements from that night."

I ask Reineke if finding the voice, or voices, to pull of this feat proved a challenge of its own. "Fortunately not one person will have to shoulder all of that -- we've got our three great leading ladies." Reineke has chosen three of Broadway's more talented and enchanting voices to slip into Garland's legendary shoes - although not necessary the iconic ruby slippers - to realize their idol's performance. The ladies are Ashley Brown, who starred in and originated on Broadway the title role of Mary Poppins, Karen Olivo who received her acclaim from her performance as "Anita" in Arthur Laurents' revival of West Side Story, and finally but certainly not least: Heather Headley,. The Tony and Grammy Award-winner who originated the role of "Nala" in Disney's The Lion King on Broadway, before winning her Best Actress Tony for the title role in Aida.

"We made list of how many we wanted," he tells me, "I wanted performers who were very different, but that could all handle this music - and these three were my first choices. All three of these girls can belt." I ask Reineke if his talented trio at all feel the enormity of what they are about to recreate. "I hope not," he says. "I don't want them to get saddled with that. We'd be dead in water if we were trying to imitate Judy Garland. I just want it to be a great night, of great music - for each one of them to take their own twist on it."

The evening will certainly capitalize on the nostalgia of Garland's enigmatic career, but still provide an unprecedented and unique musical showcase of some of histories greatest pop compositions. "So many quintessential performances came out of this one night...you hear that arrangement of 'Come Rain or Come Shine' and you know it's from that concert -�it's very special." Special and distinct. "And that's what The New York Pops does . We're one of the leading torchbearers keeping the Great American Song Book alive

Puttin’ On the Ritz

On his wish list, Reineke does admit he's love to collaborate with the likes of Coldplay -�"I see a concert in the park." -�or the more obviously likened jazz artistry of Michael Buble - "He could easily sell out a week at Carnegie Hall, and for me that would be a major labor of love...especially if I can get Harry Connick Jr. and Buble together." Reineke would love to see those artists, who've never performed together to his stage. "And certainly Queen Latifah." Perhaps he's giving me a peek as the next musical season at Carnegie Hall takes shape.

And does Reineke perceive the live orchestral experience audiences can only get from attending one of his concerts at Carnegie Hall a "dying art" in today's electronic and technologically artificially enhanced musical performances. "It is a challenge - but I wouldn't say it's a dying art form," Reineke insists. "We're in the cultural capital of the world. We've been sold out most of the season...and I see it will continue to grow. We [artists and audiences alike] have to continue to evolve to compete and be relevant to the times." Honoring and paying homage to the greatest moments in entertainment industry, The New York Pops under the leadership of its dashing musical conductor Steven Reineke is poised for a long and golden renaissance. "We do what we do - provide it at a very high artist level, but I want the concert experience to be great!" Let the music play!