The night has a musical image all its own – thoughtful, soft, romantic, possessing a solitary loveliness that transcends its darkest depths. It is an image that cannot be readily captured, only suggested, and music is the night’s most meaningful interpreter. Here in this melodic interlude, presented by the Symphonic “Pops” Orchestra, under the direction of Nathaniel Shilkret, are skillful interpretations of the hours after dark – the restful charm, melancholy loneliness, fond memories and majestic beauty. When we speak of Victor Herbert and Rudolf Friml, we are apt to think only of their many fascinating operettas, but both composers wrote numerous other works as well. As an aperitif to our evening, the Orchestra offers Victor Herbert’s Canzonetta, a lilting suite excerpt that reflects the sparkle of day merging into the night. In the lovely reverie, Tender Message, by Rudolf Friml, evening descends in an expressive mood of gentle reflection. The operetta side of Victor Herbert does show itself, next, in the soothing Slumber Song, that is replete with gypsy style melody and tender, moving sentiments. Baritone Raymond Keast sings this lullaby excerpt from The Fortune Teller. When night finally settles, its stillness inspires a mood of reminiscence. Thoughts of the past flutter by with sweeping rhythms interwoven into a delightful Nostalgic Waltz. The serene, peace-of-evening-feeling continues in Gentle, a haunting, nocturnal theme of the heard-once-but-never-forgotten variety. Memories of the past filter through the night on Side Two which opens with two 18th century compositions. Nina by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi has indisputable melodic appeal and a passionate quality that underscores its calm appearance. Sarabande, a suite excerpt by Johann Sebastian Bach, limns the ancient court dance in rich, deeply moving string passages that seem to delve into both the loveliness and loneliness of the night. The talented pen of Rudolf Friml is called upon again to offer a change of pace – to show that the night hours are not solely devoted to slumber, pensive thought and reminiscence, but to entertainment, as expressed by the graceful Butterfly Waltz. Then, the ethereal enchantment of the evening is characterized by Virgil Thomson’s Tango Lullaby, as the English horn and woodwinds carry the restful theme against an underlying, pulsating tango rhythm. ‘Music Through The Night‘ concludes with a stirring Invocation that receives a reverent instrumental reading by the Symphonic “Pops” Orchestra, aided by a chorus of superb voices.