05/28/03

John Soeder
Plain Dealer Pop Music Critic
 

Truth be told, Graham Nash is just as curious as the next guy about tonight's "Classical Nash" concert.

Sure, he's familiar with the classic-rock songs on the program - he wrote them, after all. But he's looking forward to hearing the tunes in a whole new way, recast as classical-music pieces by Cleveland's Contemporary Youth Orchestra.

"I thought it was a brilliant idea," said Nash, 61. "Most writers of popular music owe a debt of gratitude to all the classical composers who came before us.

"And I, for one, am eager to see how my music will translate . . . into the classical language."

"Classical Nash" is the third installment of the "Works for Orchestra by Rock Artists" series, an ongoing collaboration between the orchestra and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.

The orchestra features 86 high-school musicians, mostly from Northeast Ohio. The group performed the music of the Doors in 2001 (with Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek sitting in on "Light My Fire") and had a go at Led Zeppelin last year.

Liza Grossman, orchestra founder and music director, said she turned to Nash for this year's concert at Cleveland State University's Waetjen Auditorium because his poetic songs pack timeless messages.

"His lyrics speak volumes about how we should be leading our lives - learning from other people's mistakes, treating each other with respect, not fighting," Grossman said. "He wrote some beautiful music to back up the lyrics, too."

Nash will sing the Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young hit "Teach Your Children" with the orchestra. Also on the program are "Marrakesh Express," "Our House," "Cathedral," "Out of the Darkness," "Soldiers of Peace" and "Critical Mass/Wind on the Water."

The performance was underwritten by the Kulas Foundation.

Speaking by phone last week from his home on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, Nash said he admired the "courage" of the orchestra's young musicians.

"It can't be easy . . . to have the composer there," he said. "I mean, if you're doing Mozart and you [screw] up, Wolfgang isn't going to get pissed at you."

So how will Nash react if he hears a bum note?

"I'll laugh," he said. "When all is said and done, it's only music."

His songs were arranged for the orchestra by three local talents: Phoenix Ensemble cellist Derek Snyder, composer Paul Leary and self-described "recovering musician" David Budin. Nash gave them creative carte blanche to flesh out the music as they saw fit.

"I e-mailed Graham and told him the composers wanted to know if they had free rein to play with rhythms and pull out melodies in different places," Grossman said.

Nash's reply? "Sounds very exciting! Rock on!"

Budin, who described his arrangement of "Teach Your Children" as "Randy Newman-ish," was a folk singer when Crosby, Still & Nash released their self-titled debut in 1969.

"At the time, I thought there was no need for any other album ever to be recorded," Budin said. "They seemed to have everything."

Nash reckoned CSN's trademark vocal harmonies would lend themselves nicely to the various sections of the orchestra.

"Every instrument is really just a voice," he said. "The music is based on harmony, with three distinct melody lines."

Nash will be on tour this summer with David Crosby and Stephen Stills. The trio was inducted into the rock hall in 1997.

CSN is readying a new CD featuring the original demo versions of some of the group's best-known songs, including "Teach Your Children" and "Wooden Ships." The self-released project should be out by July, according to Nash.

Nash also has been toying with the idea of composing a classical-music suite inspired by the Golden Gate Bridge. He said he already has a "wonderful" melody - and he's hoping the "Classical Nash" concert will get his creative juices flowing.

"I think the Contemporary Youth Orchestra's performance is going to inspire me," Nash said. "I think they'll step up to the plate and hit one out of the park."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

jsoeder@plaind.com, 216-999-4562

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