Bohemian Rhapsody in Blue – Courtesy of Tom Russo. Used with permission.
Steve Hackman – Courtesy of Tom Russo. Used with permission.
Yours truly sat spellbound Wednesday as I sat in the Hilbert Circle Theatre listening to composer Steve Hackman’s totally original masterpiece titled “Gershwin vs. Queen: Rhapsody in Blue, as performed gloriously by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra , which maestro Hackman also led. A compelling new work, the fusion of genres was the first of this season’s Uncharted Series, instituted by the ISO to attract younger and more diverse audiences.
The piece combined George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” and Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” two of the most popular compositions in the history of music. Each work shook up the conventions of their medium by combining unlikely genres of music, with Queen fusing classical, opera, and vaudeville with rock and roll, and Gershwin mixing classical with jazz and musical theatre. “Bohemian Rhapsody in Blue” followed this approach by maverick Hackman who ingeniously mixes the two pieces into a new whole that melds Gershwin and Queen, reminding one of the innovative and even revolutionary nature of the original compositions.
Featured in the concert was Hackman collaborator Ahmed Alom who shined brilliantly in “Rhapsody in Blue” piano solos. Faithfully interpreting Queen’s songs was a trio of gifted vocalists consisting of Malia Civetz, Casey Breves and Andrew Lipke.
Performing in front of a full house filled with a thoroughly engaged audience made up primarily of those who were in their 30s and 40s, the ISO, intrepid Hackman and the vocalists turned in an electrifying performance.
Program highlights included a medley which opened the concert with the ISO performing Queen’s “We Will Rock You,” and “We Are the Champions,” along with Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess.” Other fusions, such as Gershwin’s “American in Paris” and Queen’s, “I want to Break Free.” and the former’s “Oh, Kay” overture and the latter’s “Somebody to Love” were equally thrilling.
Casey Breves, Malia Civetz & Andrew Lipke – Courtesy of Tom Russo. Used with permission.
Act 2 favorites consisted of s medley of songs from Gershwin’s musical, “Girl Crazy,” and a medley of Queen songs which was titled “Boy Crazy” The concert closed with a breathtaking fusion of Gershwin’s timeless “Rapsody in Blue,” and Queen’s now classic “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
Throughout the concert, the easy-going Hackman, through his ingratiating manner, was not only informative but charming — especially during a moment when he interacted with individuals who guessed which Queen songs matched those played during the ISO instrumental performance of the medley of Gershwin’s “Girl Crazy” songs excerpts.
A fan of both Gershwin’s and Queen’s repertoire, and thoroughly familiar with the musical content of their respective bodies of work, I could not help but marvel at Hackman’s ability to integrate the two genres so seamlessly.
Recently I was honored when Hackman reached out to request the use of a pull quote (for his website from a review I wrote of his ISO “Beethoven vs. Beyonce” concert held in June. It read: “with an innovative brilliance and style reminiscent of the late, great maestro Leonard Bernstein” (Tom Alvarez, On the Aisle). Based on my experience with “Bohemian Rhapsody,” that estimation has not changed. Hackman’s talent is unequaled.
For tickets and information about the 2024-2025 Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra visit indianapolissymphony.org
