Music of the Knights

The Sarasota Orchestra merges the classical symphonic format with the massive pop catalogs of British music royalty in "Music of the Knights." The Pops program at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall features full orchestral arrangements of the defining hits penned by Sir Elton John, Sir Paul McCartney, and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. Backed by the immense acoustic weight of the brass and string sections, guest vocalists tackle the soaring melodies of Broadway anthems and stadium rock staples. The concert demands that the orchestra replicate the rhythmic drive of a rock rhythm section while maintaining the lush, sweeping dynamics of a traditional pops performance.