Sean O'Loughlin
Photo courtesy VSO

 

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Revolution: The Music of The Beatles

Where & When Friday, October 11 & Saturday, October 12, 2024 at 8pm | Orpheum

Conductor Sean O’Loughlin Featured Performers Paul Loren & Rick Brantley - Vocals,Colin Smith - Vocals & guitar, Oscar Rodriguez - lead guitar, Chris Kuffner - bass, Jon Epcar - drums, Issac Hayward - piano & keyboard

Reviewer John Anthony Jane


In a co-production with Schirmer Theatrical, a nameless music ensemble performed a repertoire of around two dozen songs associated with the British musical group, The Beatles. It was not really a tribute concert in the conventional sense. Every song performed on stage (except one) was written by either Paul McCartney, John Lennon or George Harrison, but unlike many foursomes you might see that have made a career from pretty much impersonating John, Paul, George and Ringo, this seven-piece band didn’t show off mop-tops, a left-handed bass player or faux Liverpudlian accents.

What the audience sees and hears in Revolution is a celebration of the Beatles catalogue and in guest conductor Sean O’Loughlin, someone who knows the music well. Then, there is a group of talented musicians who blend harmoniously with the orchestra and who have been involved with many projects outside of this one. Revolution also includes a fascinating multi-media presentation that offers photographs and video footage that runs throughout the concert and even during the intermission.

The concert gets under way with “Because (the sky is blue)” in a three-part harmony that the Beatles were famous for. Dubliner Colin Smith (who appears to be a de facto leader) switches gears with “Get Back” that has the audience clapping in time. Smith later shows off his musicianship accompanying himself on guitar in a solo performance of the Paul McCartney composition “Blackbird” from the Beatles White Album.

George Harrison didn’t really get too many of his songs featured on Beatles albums but the ones that did make it are special. Three of Harrison’s compositions were included in the program: “If I Needed Someone,” “Here Comes the Sun” and Something (in the way she moves).

American conductor and arranger Jeff Tyzik’s new arrangements are transcribed to include strings and brass, but otherwise are, for the most part, reasonably faithful to George Martin’s original contribution. Some interpretations allow you to hear a song with fresh ears. I had heard “She’s Leaving Home” many times, but had never grasped the song’s poignancy until hearing Paul Loren sing it with only strings accompaniment. The song is perhaps unique in that it was the only Beatles song recorded without any of the four playing an instrument and likely the only one that George Martin didn’t arrange.

“Twist and Shout,” the final song performed with the orchestra was neither written by McCartney, Lennon nor Harrison, but was originally an Isley Brothers recording written by Phil Medley. Immediately after, member of the orchestra exited the stage leaving the guest ensemble to play out a generous encore of Beatles early hits with the entire audience on their feet.

© 2024 John Anthony Jane