Nothing says ‘home’ like the holidays, and the bright, festive feeling a New York Pops holiday concert evokes is unmistakably warm and inviting. This year’s event is no exception; the orchestra’s lush, gorgeous sounds are further embellished by the renowned Essential Voices USA chorus and the dazzling Megan Hilty, bringing her flash and splash to the hall between performances in Broadway’s Death Becomes Her.
Vibrant conductor Stephen Reineke’s spirits are high in spite of his entrance with a cane. “I’d like to say I injured myself skiing on <fill in popular ski resort mountain>, but a bit of ice jumped in my way crossing <fill in typical frozen NYC street>”, he quipped.
Reineke’s injured leg does not dampen his joviality nor prevents him from practically dancing at the podium, as enthusiastic about the music as ever.
The evening begins as it often does with a glorious instrumental number highlighting the orchestra, “Deck the Halls”; warm brass, harps, clarinets and other instruments are a welcome sound tothe ears. This opener is followed by an EV USA feature of Jerry Herman’s “We Need a Little Christmas” from Mame.
Hilty is introduced, and she floats onto the stage in deliciously high heels and a flowing red gown, replete with glittering cape, and treats the audience to “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”, “Winter Wonderland”, and “The Christmas Song”.
For the 4th year running, the orchestra brings back Mykola Leontovich’s superb Carol of the Bells, establishing a tradition of dedicating the number to the people of Ukraine. “Santa’s Epic Ride” follows, a rousing cinematic piece which Reineke describes as being inspired by a cross between Santa and Batman.
A splendidly harmonic Essential Voices USA gives us “The First Noel”, and Hilty rounds out Act I with an Irving Berlin “White Christmas” medley and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (a jazzier if not strangely-fitting treatment version of the latter).
The Pops returns for Act II with a boisterous “Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas” from Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, and EV USA presents its melodic “Chanuka Joy and Peace”.
Hilty glides back to the stage, resplendent in silver glitter and again favoring a cape, this one shoulder-less black, and provides a playful and spicy “Santa Baby” followed by “A Place Called Home”, and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”. Her intros are laden with filler words but nevertheless heartfelt.
The orchestra’s New Orleans-style “Jingle Bell Rock” is a great mood-lifter, trombones and trumpets a-blazing. The event is capped with a traditional sing-along; Santa and his elf Pecan Pie also make a return appearance.
Hilty is an amazing talent with an immensely powerful voice and presence; she's deserving of every accolade, and it’s no surprise she’s back (again) on the Carnegie Hall stage. We don’t see much of her this evening; rather, it is her Death Becomes Her alter ego, Madeline Ashton, who is in residence, and in the absence of edible scenery, it is she who chews through lyrics and put diphthongs on parade, often eclipsing the simple emotion and intent of many of the holiday tunes shared with us, like “Count Your Blessings” and others. It is with great fortune that Hilty drops all the hijinks and delivers an organic and wistfully soulful “River”, a jewel in her crown, and my favorite, “O Holy Night”, both redeeming moments worth waiting for.
The New York Pops is truly a cultural gift, bringing orchestral music to both the seasoned and casual listener as well as the Pops-ED students it invites to every concert. If you’ve not made the New York Pops a staple of your year-round entertainment, click on their website below and start making some reservations.
New York Pops - A Place Called Home (December 19-20, 2025)
The New York Pops
Carnegie Hall, Isaac Stern Auditorium
161 W 56th Street, in Manhattan
For more information about New York Pops, visit https://newyorkpops.org/
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