Nick Clooney’s Column: Inclement weather no match for maestro

Column by Nick Clooney
Feb 7th 2007

It’s been a long time since we have been in a deep freeze like this, hasn’t it? Day after day of sub-freezing temperatures, often in single digits, takes some getting used to in the Ohio Valley.

When Nina and I were invited to a Cincinnati Pops concert over the weekend, we piled on layer after layer of clothes and tried to remember the last time we had a protracted cold spell. This newspaper, several TV stations and various blogs and Web sites have listed chapter and verse on cold snaps, but the most recent that came to our minds was 1994, just about this time of year. That one was considerably more inconvenient for those of us trying to get around, because it began with a foot of snow which then froze rock hard.

Of course, nothing in my lifetime compares to the twin winters of 1976-77 and 1977-78 when the Ohio River froze over two years in a row.

Even then, however, I remember we found a way to get to Music Hall to see what Erich Kunzel had put together for Cincinnati’s edification. Nothing can warm up a frigid city like the fun and fantasy the Pops can spin.

As we shed our coats and scarves and ear muffs in the stately foyer of Music Hall, we spoke of the wide range of weather conditions into which Erich has led his troops.

We recalled several cloudbursts and thunderstorms that plagued Memorial Day telecasts in Washington, D.C. There were stifling heat waves for Fourth of July concerts at Riverbend. Floods have postponed some concerts when the Ohio River was rude enough to occupy the first several rows of seats without paying a dime for the privilege.

Obviously, something as minor as bone-chilling temperatures would not daunt Erich or the Pops or, for that matter, the several thousands of us who showed to be entertained.

And entertained we were. Erich chose a nautical theme and, to my delight, decided to feature music from movies about those who go down to the sea in ships.

I could close my eyes and imagine scenes from “Sea Hawk” and “Captain Blood,” while younger members of the audience could do the same when they heard the music from both “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies. Several of the best composers of movie themes were represented, including Erich Korngold, Alfred Newman, Franz Waxman, Elmer Bernstein and Henry Mancini. Every movie buff within earshot was standing on the quarterdeck with gentle seas and a fair wind.

Of course, Erich Kunzel prizes showmanship, second only to musicianship, so the stage was never empty. While we listened to a world-class orchestra, we saw beautiful Irish dancers do a hornpipe, the fine aerialist Alexander Streltsov simulating ascending the rigging, and young University of Cincinnati actors stage a pirates’ sword fight – with no casualties.

The piece de resistance was the appearance of the United States Navy Sea Chanters, a fine vocal chorus of men and women who gave us everything from “There is Nothing Like a Dame” to John Denver’s rousing “Calypso.”

For just a moment, I thought I would be able to quibble with one of my old friend Erich’s choices. He opened the second act with one of my favorite movie themes, Alfred Newman’s “Conquest” from “Captain from Castille.” The epic film starring Cincinnati’s Tyrone Power attempts to portray Hernan Cortez’s brutal march of conquest across Mexico. How was this nautical? Then I remembered that a key sequence in the movie was the burning of the ships that brought the force ashore. Erich wins again.

The evening was superb. I’m told they’re making another of the Cincinnati Pops’ now legendary CDs out of it. I smell another hit.

In the meantime, if we ever thaw out, I’m going to suggest a new brochure for the Convention and Visitors Bureau. It should have directions to the indispensables – Carew Tower, Fountain Square, the Suspension Bridge, Union Terminal – but the city historical tour bus should have one other mandatory stop.

Wherever Erich Kunzel is conducting the Cincinnati Pops. But bring your umbrella, parka and mukluks.

Nick Clooney writes for The Post every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. E-mails sent to Nick at nickclooney@cincypost.com will be forwarded to him via regular mail. Or write him at The Cincinnati Post, 125 E. Court St., Cincinnati, Ohio 45202.