Madmen Across the Water: The Music of Elton John
October 27, 2016
The youngsters out there might know Sir Elton Hercules John as that old guy with the crazy glasses, who has raised incredible amounts of cash for AIDS, and championed the rights of the LGBT community years before it was the “right” thing to do.
This is also a man who had at least one song a year on the Billboard Top 100 list for over 30 consecutive years. His music is solid gold, classic rock.
“Madmen Across the Water: The Music of Elton John” will be performed by The Virginia Symphony Orchestra with Jean L. Meilleur of Jeans ‘n Classics, on Friday, November 4 at the Ferguson Center for the Arts in Newport News and Saturday, November 5, at Chrysler Hall in Norfolk.
Jean Meilleur was in town to perform some of the great David Bowie hits with the VSO back in June. He has a powerful voice. He is great at “celebrating the artist as opposed to imitating.” He loves singing the classic Elton John hits. You’ll get a bit of the history and Jean’s feelings about each song as well.
“I like to convey my feelings for the music to the audience beyond just singing the songs,” he said.
Benjamin Rous, my favorite VSO POPS! Conductor, will be jamming to the classic Elton John for both performances. John Regan will come along with Jean Meilleur to play the piano. Elton John started playing at age 3 and was gifted at both playing and composing. John Regan has a “great touch and gentle melodic approach to the piano, which is wonderfully suited to Elton’s music.”
Jean loves performing with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. He said, “Their ability, professionalism and willingness to have fun are an exceptional aspect of this group.” The title of the concert is inspired by Elton John’s 1971 album “Madman Across the Water.” It featured the song “Tiny Dancer,” which Elton John wrote with his long-time lyricist, Bernie Taupin. This is a perfect song to be performed with the VSO. It starts out small, with just Elton John and his piano, and then builds to an explosion of strings and chorus.
“Madmen Across the Water: The Music of Elton John” is number three in the Virginia Symphony POPS! series this year. JoAnn Falletta will conduct “Holiday POPS!” for three nights in three venues around Hampton Roads, beginning on Friday, December 9.
The last POPS! concert of the season will be “Classical Mystery Tour,” featuring a fab four that “look and sound much like the real thing.” This concert will be journeying down the “Long and Winding Road” of the Beatles’ greatest hits on February 2nd and 3rd.
This outstanding POPS! series is such a great way to bring the great back, introduce the great to a new generation, or to just have a great time listening to the wonderful Virginia Symphony Orchestra.
For more information about other upcoming VSO concerts, go here.