Sarah McLachlan

 

Sarah McLachlan with Steven Reineke

 

by Magda Katz

 

Friday, August 2, 2019, Grammy Award winning Canadian-born singer-songwriter,  pop star Sarah McLachlan took the stage of the Forest Hills Stadium backed by the lush sound of the The New York Pops conducted by Steven Reineke. The New York Pops were augmented by Ms. McLachlan’s rock band. The blend was magical.

Ms. McLachlan, known for her emotional ballads and mezzo-soprano voice, sang many of her hits and recounted stories of how each song inspired her. She feels her best songs were written while she was going through emotional pain and the writing helped her heal. That explains why so many of her songs are dark and depressing.

 

Sarah McLachlan

 

Sarah McLachlan with Steven Reineke

 

She sang her 1995 hit “ I Will Remember You,” from The Brothers McMullen soundtrack, sitting at the piano.  Introducing her song “Adia,” she recounted the time when she fell in love with her best friend’s ex. She was so moved by the young Pakistan woman Malala Yousafzai’s story that she was inspired to write “In Your Shoes,” an anti-bullying song.

The audience was filled with many of Ms McLachlan’s long time fans and she invited them to join as she sang “Ice Cream,” which they happily obliged.

The warm summer night was a beautiful setting for a memorable performance by Sarah McLachlan and The New York Pops.

Photos/Video: Magda Katz