Erich Kunzel: ‘The Prince of Pops’ - Jul 10/11

Expect quality 'classical lite'

Erich Kunzel is the musical master behind the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, a group known for light, affable works such as film scores, Gershwin (songs, not concertos) and other pieces best heard from picnic blankets over cold chicken and a bottle of wine.

This is popular summer fare, and will probably be a relief for the Central Opera House Symphony Orchestra – yes, newly-appointed Music Director Yu Feng has been whipping them into shape, but this is ‘easy listening’ in the best sense of the word; there’s nothing too challenging for either the playersor the audience. Whether or not you like ‘classical lite’, you have to admire Kunzel.

In the last 32 years, he’s recorded over 85 albums with the Pops alone (125 in total). He was Billboard magazine’s Classical Crossover Artist of the Year a record four times in a row, and is a National Medal of Arts winner, which is America’s highest artistic distinction.

Most astounding of all, however, is Kunzel’s courage – and we don’t mean his Sony Tiffany Walkman Award for ‘visionary recording activities’.

This past April, Kunzel was suffering from what he thought was food poisoning, but it actually turnedout to be a horrifying combination of liver, colon and pancreatic cancer.

The 74-year-old reassures his legions of fans that ‘they caught it early’ and has not rescheduled a single concert; indeed, he insists that he can conduct his way to a full recovery.

In today’s world, where multi-millionaire maestros podiumhop their way around the globe, all the while cancelling appearances and having their assistants run rehearsals (Gergiev, we’re talking to you), Kunzel’s commitment to both his orchestra and his audience is nothing short of legendary. Nancy Pellegrini

Erich Kunzel’s Film Favourites Concert NCPA , 7.30pm. 180-1,280RMB.