Classical Music
NOVA launches new season with chamber music of the night – Sep 16, 2019
Nocturnes of Frédéric Chopin were performed at NOVA Chamber Music’s concert Sunday at Libby Gardner Concert Hall.
Painting by Eugène Delacroix, 1838.
Since Jason Hardink stepped down as music director two years ago, the NOVA Chamber Music Series hasn’t had a permanent director. Instead, each season has been led by someone new. Last season it was the Utah Symphony’s concertmaster Madeline Adkins, and for 2019-20 it’s the Utah State University-based Fry Street Quartet.
For its first concert on Sunday, the group decided on a program of music … Read More
Utah Symphony opens season with music from the canyon to the cosmos – Sep 14, 2019
Thierry Fischer conducted the Utah Symphony in the orchestra’s season-opening program Friday night at Abravanel Hall. Photo: Kathleen Sykes
For their season-opening program, Thierry Fischer and the Utah Symphony took their audience on a heavenly journey Friday night, culminating in an at-times rambunctious but always engrossing performance of Gustav Holst’s The Planets.
The basis for the program choices for much of the new season is Olivier Messiaen’s Des canyons aux étoiles… Two movements of Messiaen’s epic were played Friday, though the focus this weekend was squarely on Holst’s … Read More
Fischer closes Utah Symphony season with impassioned Mahler – May 25, 2019
Thierry Fischer conducted the Utah Symphony in Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 Friday night at Abravanel Hall. Photo: Kathleen Sykes
Thierry Fischer chose to end the Utah Symphony season this weekend with Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, “Titan,” a work that has appeared on numerous programs he’s conducted during his tenure with the orchestra.
Fischer, who announced Thursday he’ll be stepping down as music director when his contract expires at the end of the 2021-22 season, gave a remarkably vibrant account of … Read More
Fischer will depart Utah Symphony in 2022 – May 23, 2019
Thierry Fischer announced Thursday that he will step down as music director of the Utah Symphony at the end of the 2021-22 season. At that time the Swiss-born conductor will have led the ensemble for 13 years.
“I am deeply grateful for the rich musical partnership I have enjoyed with the members of this outstanding orchestra, and for the experiences we’ve shared as musical ambassadors to the people of Utah,” said Fischer in a statement released by the symphony. “My journey with the Utah … Read More
Salt Lake Symphony, Utah Voices rise to the challenge of Mahler’s “Resurrection” – May 17, 2019
Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 (“Resurrection” ) was performed by the Salt Lake Symphony Thursday night.
The Salt Lake Symphony’s annual collaboration with Utah Voices closed out its season Thursday night with a compelling performance of Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection.”
The Second isn’t a work one would expect a community orchestra to play, but the Salt Lake Symphony roster contains some of the best freelance musicians in the area. And since Robert Baldwin has become its music director he has raised … Read More
Distracting visuals apart, Utah Opera wraps season with a vocally outstanding “Norma” – May 05, 2019
Marjorie Owens (left) sings the title role in Utah Opera’s “Norma” with Annie Rosen as Adalgisa. Photo: Kathleen Sykes
Utah Opera is closing its season this weekend on a grand scale, with a vocally outstanding company premiere of Vincenzo Bellini’s Norma.
Because of renovation work in the Capitol Theatre, the company has moved Norma into Abravanel Hall, presenting Bellini’s bel canto drama in a fully costumed, semi-staged production with projections by Greg Emetaz.
Bradon McDonald’s costumes were lovely — lavish in Norma’s case … Read More
Soprano Marjorie Owens looking forward to Utah Opera debut in Bellini’s “Norma” – May 02, 2019
Marjorie Owens will sing the title role in Utah Opera’s production of Bellini’s “Norma” Saturday night. Photo: Kathleen Sykes/Utah Opera
Utah Opera will close its season this weekend with Vincenzo Bellini’s Norma. This marks the first time in its history that the company has presented Bellini’s 1831 opera
Singing the title role is the American soprano Marjorie Owens, who will be making her Utah Opera debut. This will only be her second time singing the role, having debuted it in 2016 with the … Read More
Gluzman and Yoffe inspiring and instinctive partners for Chamber Music Society – Apr 30, 2019
Vadim Gluzman and Angela Yoffe performed Sunday at Libby Gardner Concert Hall. Photo: Marco Borggreve
A concert by violinist Vadim Gluzman and pianist Angela Yoffe closed out the Chamber Music Society of Salt Lake City’s season Monday night.
Playing a wonderfully varied program spanning three centuries, the husband-and-wife duo displayed remarkable artistry and consummate musicality for the large audience in attendance in Libby Gardner Concert Hall. The musical and life partners were a pleasure to hear (and watch), since over the years they … Read More
Salt Lake Choral Artists celebrate 15 years with a glorious “Elijah” – Apr 28, 2019
Brady Allred conducted the Salt Lake Choral Artists in Mendelssohn’s “Elijah” Saturday night.
The Salt Lake Choral Artists under music director Brady Allred have been celebrating the choir’s 15th anniversary this season. The culmination of their milestone year came Saturday at Libby Gardner Concert Hall with a stirring performance of Mendelssohn’s great oratorio Elijah.
The 1846 work tells the story of the Hebrew prophet through passages taken from Old Testament verses. A powerful work, it shows Mendelssohn at the height of his compositional … Read More
Guitarist Villegas shines in wide-ranging program from Utah Symphony – Apr 27, 2019
Guitarist Pablo Sáinz Villegas was the soloist with the Utah Symphony Friday night at Abravanel Hall. Photo: Kathleen Sykes
In the comparatively small world of virtuoso classical guitarists — compared to pianists and violinists — Pablo Sáinz Villegas ranks at the top for his mastery of the instrument, technical chops and consummate musicality.
The Spanish guitarist is this weekend’s guest artist with the Utah Symphony, and at Friday’s concert in Abravanel Hall he put his artistry on full display in a magnificent performance … Read More
