When the final bell rings to end the school day on a Friday afternoon, I am usually thrilled with the prospect of an entire weekend ahead of me. When I have a ticket to a Utah Symphony concert on a Friday night, I am even more excited. I left an enormous stack of argumentative essays that need to be graded on my desk and drove home with a smile on my face anticipating a concert featuring Mozart and Rachmaninoff, two of my favorite composers. TGIF! The concert was wonderful, definitely worthy of anticipation. The orchestra began with Mozart's Symphony No. 19. Mozart's music is light (not to be confused with simple), airy, and melodic filled with beautiful themes throughout each movement. I enjoyed this piece immensely. Then soloist Jeffrey Kahane joined the orchestra for a marvelous performance of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 2. I especially enjoyed the second movement, which was very contemplative, and the third, which was, conversely, very lively. After the intermission it was time for some Rachmaninoff! The orchestra played the powerful Symphony No. 3 to the delight of the audience. I find Rachmaninoff (and all of the Russian composers, really) to be incredibly romantic and the second movement is particularly beautiful. I love the plaintive themes played by the various woodwinds. Sigh! It was the perfect way to begin the weekend! The same program will be performed again tonight and, really, what's not to love about Mozart, Beethoven, and Rachmaninoff? Tickets can be purchased here.
Note: If you get a ticket, give yourself some extra time to get to Abravanel Hall. It is that time of year when driving downtown is crazy because of the lights at Temple Square.
No comments:
Post a Comment