A night of rarities and American classics

Christine Carrillo

From “Pure Gershwin” in 1985 to a collaborative effort with the

Israel Philharmonic Orchestra in 2002, Michael Feinstein has

serenaded audiences for years. Driven by a passion for preserving

classic American songs and big band and jazz music, Feinstein has

turned his characteristic tastes to the holidays.

In a performance that will feature songs from 12 different

religions, Feinstein, with the Pacific Symphony Pops led by conductor

Richard Kaufman, will take audiences on a seasonal celebration of

Christmas, Hanukkah and the Southern Hemisphere all in one night.

While one-third of the program will consist of holiday music,

audiences will also hear Feinstein’s renditions of Gershwin and

Richard Rodgers in Segerstrom Hall at the Orange County Performing

Arts Center in Costa Mesa tonight.

“Every song is about communication,” he said. “It’s no more

difficult to do one song more than another. For me, it’s all about

making a connection with the audience and trying to bring through the

writers’ intention with the music.”

Spending a great deal of his career breathing life into classical

songs, Feinstein’s holiday performance gives audiences a sense of

nostalgia while at the same time leading them into a new musical

world all his own. A world that began long ago.

“There’s an emotional reaction to music that is something that I

loved and something that made me feel good,” he said. “It was simply

an activity that I indulged in when I was young.”

As an accomplished pianist, nightclub owner, record producer and

cabaret performer, Feinstein has developed a career that taps into a

variety of avenues.

Having begun his career as a personal assistant to Ira Gershwin

before being thrust into the spotlight by Liza Minnelli, Feinstein,

who often wears his storytelling hat while on stage, enjoys the

spontaneity that his shows always bring.

With a PBS special hosted by Feinstein that traces the history of

American music due in April and an upcoming release of another album,

the pianist is working to build on a career conveying his passion for

music to audiences around the world.

“Music is healing; music is made up of vibration,” he said. “That

is why music is healing, because music is sympathetic with the human

body. ... It’s something that I love doing.”