Heinz Hall
July 23
7:30 p.m.
R&B vocals, classical music and 1990s-era hits will converge on July 23rd when pop supergroup Boyz II Men teams up with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) for one very special night. International stars known for their chart-topping hits such as “On Bended Knee” and “Motownphilly,” Boyz II Men brings their smooth and soulful vocals to the masterful sounds of the PSO for a unique concert experience at Heinz Hall.
One of the biggest names in a cappella and R&B, Boyz II Men first rose to fame during the 1990s as a quartet releasing music on legendary Motown Records. With a career spanning 20 years and 15 albums, the group’s distinctive sound and emotional ballads blend elements of R&B, hip-hop, pop music and peerless vocal harmonies. Founded in the late-1980s in Philadelphia, Boyz II Men has nabbed four Grammys, nine American Music Awards, nine Soul Train Awards, three Billboard Awards and a 2011 MOBO Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. The trio also holds the distinction of being the best-selling R&B group of all time (read: 60 million albums sold).
Formerly a quartet that included Michael McCary, Boyz II Men features baritone Nathan Morris and tenors Shawn Stockman and Wanya Morris. The trio continues to perform worldwide, and in September 2014, they will release their 11th studio album, titled Collide. In 2012, Boyz II Men was awarded a star on Hollywood’s iconic Walk of Fame.
Led by PSO Resident Conductor Lawrence Loh, audiences will enjoy the group’s hits such as “Water Runs Dry,” “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye,” “I’ll Make Love to You” and others featuring full orchestral accompaniment.
Resident conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and music director of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic and the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra, Loh is a leading young talent on today’s classical music scene. Loh drew national attention in 2004, when he substituted last-minute for an ailing Charles Dutoit with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and garnered acclaim from orchestra players, audience members and critics alike. Since his appointment as music director of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic in 2005, the orchestra has flourished artistically, defining its reputation as one of the country’s top regional orchestras.