WARREN SHOW Pianist spices up classics with a touch of pop

Frampton said this production has proved very popular with audiences.
By JOHN BENSON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
Mac Frampton is on a pop culture mission to bring music of all generations to the masses.
His current show "Pop Go The Classics," which the Warren Civic Music Association is presenting Saturday at the W.D. Packard Music Hall, creatively reinterprets familiar songs for audiences new and old.
"What we do is take standard classical music, most of which everybody knows, and do contemporary or pop arrangements or interpretations," said Frampton, calling from Atlanta. "Everything from the 'William Tell Overture' to the 'Nutcracker Suite,' that kind of thing. The concept of the show is a lot of variety and some comedy and really a good production."
Currently in its third touring season, "Pop Go The Classics" is one of many Frampton projects. In fact, music lovers may remember his "And the Winner Is..." came through W.D. Packard Music Hall last year. The pianist said the tribute to Academy Award-winning movie songs is scheduled to return in 2006 with an April date at the Stambaugh Auditorium.
They love it
However, there is something about "Pop Go the Classics" that has created a lasting love affair with audiences around the world.
"I've been doing productions for over 30 years and over that time period, in addition to my own solo work and trio performances as a pianist, I've probably produced a dozen different things like this," Frampton said. "And I don't think I ever had one be this successful. It just gets rave reviews wherever we go."
The two-hour show features a six-member ensemble presenting different interpretations of well-known tunes such as a comedic version of "The Blue Danube," the lovely "Clair de Lune" and an ingenious medley of sorts featuring both Bach and Billy Joel. It sounds as though it's something to behold.
"I don't know anybody who wouldn't enjoy it," Frampton said. "From kids on up to great grandparents, it has so much in it. It's accessible to everybody."
Aiming for new album
With roughly 25 albums to his credit over the last three decades, Frampton hopes to add "Pop Go The Classics" to that list soon. His biggest problem is time. He doesn't have any with an incessant touring schedule that keeps him on the road a good chunk of the year. Testament to his frequent-flyer itinerary is the fact he called from his hometown of Atlanta, but was actually on a layover between New York City and Phoenix.
As a traveling purveyor of classical melodies, in some ways Frampton considers himself a music educator to new generations of music fans who don't give themselves enough credit.
"Actually, the material we're doing is quite familiar," Frampton said. "I think even people that aren't heavy into classical music would know most of these songs. It makes me feel good that there may be possibilities that I'm presenting music to people that wouldn't normally go to hear a classical program. So they hear it, hear the beauty of the piece and they hear it in a contemporary setting. And it just might spur people on to think, 'Wow, classical music is pretty good. I might need to hear some more of that.' So that encourages me."