L-R Tony DeSare & Frankie Moreno – Courtesy of Luke Cooley/Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Used with permission.
Two consummate entertainers with distinctly different styles graced the Hilbert Circle Theatre stage Friday for an Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Pops concert, titled “Frankie Moreno & Tony SeSare: Dueling Pianos,” which was led by conductor Jack Everly. And though flamboyant singer, songwriter, pianist, and recent “AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration” host Moreno and more reserved singer songwriter, pianist DeSare, represented a Ying and Yang — what they did share in common was engaging showmanship, and a deep connection with the audience.
Frankie Moreno – Courtesy of Luke Cooley//Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
Performing a collection of songs from the Great American Songbook to rock’ n’ roll, jazz and more, the affable duo displayed substantial aplomb as they bedazzled the crowd with their appealing voices, humor, charm, and piano virtuosity.
Act I concert highlights included the ISO performing an instrumental prelude of Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” DeSare and ISO in his original “New Orleans Tango,” Moreno and ISO in “Great Balls of Fire,” Moreno and DeSare in “All of Me,” and with the ISO in “Hallelujah I Love her So.”
Tony Desare – Courtesy of Luke Cooley//Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
Act 2 high points included an instrumental Cole Porter medley performed by the ISO, DeSare performing his original “Paris Will Always Have you,” Moreno and the ISO dazzling in “Roll Over Beethoven” which contained references to the composer’s pieces, and DeSare, Moreno and the ISO closing the concert with a spectacular medley that included everything from Bach’s “Prelude in C,:” to Hoagy Carmichael and Frank Loesser’s “Heart and Soul,” to Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girls,” to Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” which, along with several others sung along with the audience. The encore was a full company rendition of Billy Joel’s “Piano Man.”
Moreno, who regularly performs in Las Vegas and DeSare, who has performed numerous times with the ISO, displayed a dynamism that was simply off the charts. Coupled with the sparkling ISO which continues to impress with its roster of many younger and vibrant musicians of high caliber, the concert was my favorite ISO Pops concert, thus far this season.
For tickets and information about the 2023-2024 ISO season visit indianapolissymphony.org
