I spent a lovely evening at Abravanel Hall last night listening to the Utah Symphony. I selected this particular concert for Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 because I really love it but, as is often the case, I also enjoyed the other selections on the program immensely. The orchestra began with Haydn's Symphony No. 9 and I thought it was incredibly beautiful and stirring. I especially loved the theme played by the solo oboe and I also loved the theme played by a solo violin and solo cello. Next the orchestra played Symphony No. 1 by Charles Ives. I was particularly struck by the opening notes, which were almost unobtrusive. I found this piece to be very moving and there were several times when I closed my eyes and let the music wash over me. After the intermission the orchestra played Dvorak's New World Symphony (as it is known). There are a handful of pieces that I recognize by name and always try to see when performed (Mozart's Requiem, Pictures at an Exhibition by Mussorgsky, Symphonie fantastique by Berlioz, and Bolero by Ravel, to name a few) and this is near the top of that list. I have been looking forward to this performance for weeks and I was not disappointed. There are many things that I love about this piece, but the themes played and then echoed between the various sections of the orchestra are so dramatic! It was performed brilliantly with an enthusiastic standing ovation at its conclusion. The same concert will be performed tonight (tickets may be purchased here) and I recommend it highly!
Note: I have always been a fan of Thierry Fischer (especially after I saw him at a Jazz game with his two sons). Last night I sat a little closer to the stage than I usually do and it was fun to watch him in action!
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