Utah Arts Review

A departing Thierry Fischer says his Utah Symphony tenure has been an organic partnership – May 23, 2023

For his final program as music director, Thierry Fischer leads the Utah Symphony in Mahler’s Symphony No. 3 this weekend. Photo: Marco Borggreve

Conductor Thierry Fisher was in a relaxed mood after conducting the Utah Symphony’s first rehearsal of Oliver Messiaen’s Turangalîla-Symphonie, a ten-movement, roughly 80-minute-long piece featuring over 100 musicians. That piece would comprise the entire program on Fischer’s penultimate concert as the orchestra’s music director.

Fischer assessed the task before him. “It’s the first rehearsal of a big piece … Read More

Pioneer Theatre to tap into power of legendary actor with “Cagney” – Sep 16, 2019

Robert Creighton portrays James Cagney in Pioneer Theatre Company’s “Cagney,” which opens Friday night. Photo: PTC

James Cagney wasn’t a bad guy—he just played one in the movies.

And if Cagney: The Musical About Hollywood’s Tough Guy in Tap Shoes sounds like a fanciful reimagining, remember that Cagney sang and danced his way to an Academy Award for his portrayal of George M. Cohan in “Yankee Doodle Dandy.”

“He always wanted to be a song-and-dance man,” said Robert Creighton, the singing, dancing co-creator and star … Read More

Utah Symphony season to spotlight state’s natural beauties with Messiaen – Sep 10, 2019

Thierry Fischer opens the Utah Symphony ‘s season this weekend with the first installment of Messiaen’s Des canyons aux étoiles. Photo: Marco Borggreve

Despite Utah’s many natural wonders, there have been few musical works written that have been influenced by our state’s imposing mountains or stunning red rock desert vistas. 

One composer who found inspiration in Utah’s landscapes was the Frenchman Olivier Messiaen. Throughout his life, Messiaen traveled extensively, and in the early 1970s he and his wife, the pianist Yvonne Loriod, found themselves … Read More

Critic’s Choice for 2019-20 – Sep 06, 2019

Isabel Leonard performs with the Utah Symphony January 10-11, 2020. Photo: Fay Fox

Cagney. Pioneer Theatre Company. September 20-October 5.  

Pioneer Theatre Company opens its season with Cagney, a new musical about James Cagney, the legendary song-and-dance man turned acclaimed film star. The story chronicles Cagney’s career from vaudeville performer to Hollywood tough guy. The show makes an extended stop in Salt Lake City on its way to Broadway and features Robert Creighton in the title role. pioneertheatre.org  

“No Tenors Allowed.” Thomas Hampson, baritone; Luca Pisaroni, … Read More