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July 8, 2005Syme takes stage in Northport'Play it Again' show is set for Saturday nightByRecord-Eagle staff writer TRAVERSE CITY - Concert pianist David Syme is classically trained, but he hasn't forgotten his pop sensibilities. Syme, who has played at Kennedy Center and with the London Philharmonia, will play a concert on Saturday at the Northport Community Arts Center. The concert, titled "Play it Again Syme" after his first CD, promises to be an eclectic mix of pop and classics, said the pianist, who lives in West Bloomfield. "That's sort of a niche that I've established in community concert life," he said. He also does that on some of his CDs. While some recordings - like some of his concerts - are strictly classical, others include such varied fare as "Don't Cry for Me Argentina," "My Way" and Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody." He said he knows about 5,000 musical pieces and songs by memory, so any show barely scratches the surface. And each performance is different. "I get with the audience and I get a feel for what the atmosphere is like," he said. "Usually, I come out and do the first movement of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. Other than that, nothing is planned." He'll also spend about 10 minutes taking requests, as he does on live, call-in radio shows, he said. That's a pretty down-to-earth approach for someone with Syme's pedigree. Syme studied at the Juilliard School of Music. He's played with the Royal Philharmonic and the Vienna Symphony and has appeared in major halls throughout the United States, Europe, Canada and Mexico. He represented the United States in international competitions in Moscow and Warsaw. A Gershwin concert he played with the Mexico City Symphony is seen repeatedly on A&E and Arts TV. He has played for former President Bill Clinton and appeared in a special birthday concert for former first lady Barbara Bush. He knows many of his listeners like to hear popular standards. Heck, he does too. "I don't always want to be edified at a concert," he said. "Sometimes, I just want to be entertained." Ann Bloomquist of Northport, who helped get Syme to come here, said he's a dynamic performer. "I think what makes David so unique is that he's a very skillful pianist, but he combines that with pop music," she said. Bloomquist knows him through her daughter Leslie Knopp, who attended University of Arizona in the 1970s at the same time as Syme. "He's very impressive and artistic," she said. Syme's concert is scheduled for 8 p.m. at the arts center auditorium, which is attached to Northport Public School. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for students. They are available through northportcac.org or by calling 386-5001.
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