'The Sounds of Simon & Garfunkel'
By Pat Ciarrocchi
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Philadelphia is putting the spotlight on Simon & Garfunkel, with three performances beginning Friday night.
It's an original mix of one guitar, two voices and a symphonic orchestra.
Simon & Garfunkel's "Sounds of Silence" never sounded bigger.
Philly POPS music director Michael Krajewski calls it "enhanced."
"Most of the music is quite intimate and poetic, but I thought that the orchestra, if done correctly, could add an extra enhancement, and maybe a new little perspective to the music," Krajewski explains.
Guitarist A.J. Swearingen and vocalist partner Jonathan Beedle, both raised in Bethlehem, inspired Krajewski.
"We have this love, mutual respect and love, for this music."
"We don't think we sound like them; we certainly don't try to act like them, but it's carrying on this love of the music."
Krajewski loved the idea too, and with Beedle and Swearingen, he added the concept of orchestration, crafting the POPS' program.
"The Sounds of Simon & Garfunkel" happens at the Kimmel Center, with performances on Friday night, and Saturday and Sunday afternoon.
"Even though they don't try to imitate [Simon & Garfunkel], when they start singing these songs, the audience is really transported," Krajewski says.
For more information, visit: www.phillypops.org.