By Alisha Hagey and Jason Hagey
This weekend in Salt Lake City at Abravanel Hall, Utah Symphony presents Pink Martini’s Joy to the World: A Holiday Spectacular, a delightful extravaganza of multicultural holiday songs mixed with music of sheer joy and love. Pink Martini delivers a party unlike anything else I’ve ever seen in Abravanel Hall. They bring the joy, bring the world, bring holiday, and bring it all spectacularly. If you have never had the pleasure of listening to Pink Martini, the description they give is, “the house band of the United Nations of 1962 meets Breakfast at Tiffany’s” for a Holiday Party.
Recently, the Utah Symphony presented Maurice Ravel’s Boléro. Pink Martini starts their concert with that same Boléro, but with a twist of African drum beats and jazz. The result is both a musical triumph and a thrilling victory of sheer joy. Nicholas Crosa, on violin, plays with magnificence.
The rest of the evening exuded this same rhythmic fun. This evening is so much more than a Christmas concert. The evening is a variety show of guest performers. The von Trapps (four of the great-grandchildren of, yes, those von Trapps), Ari Shapiro (of NPR’s All Things Considered), Edna Vazquez, Katie Harman Ebner, Hunter Noah, and Paige Morrison all join the party.
This is a great gateway concert to introduce people to the symphony, mixing classical music with jazz fusion, and everything in between. This is the kind of experience where you can cheer out loud in the midst of a song, where symphony meets rock. Where else will you see people dancing in their seats or doing a conga line – strangers all just enjoying the moment and the shared joy? Why here of course.
In keeping with the Utah Symphony’s presence, many of the songs have their tie-ins to classical pieces. For instance, Noah is brought out to play the four hand Franz Schubert Fantasy in F-minor with band leader Thomas M. Lauderdale. Then the band changes the key, adds an Afro-beat and has the song, And Then You’re Gone (sung by Ebner). Following is the companion piece, also another riff on the Schubert theme, But Now I’m Back (sung by Shapiro). This time it has a strong swing beat and sensibility. The playful songs tell a story of a woman frustrated with her philandering lover, Lorenzo, where she tells him to get lost. What follows is Lorenzo’s hilarious plea to be accepted back because he just went to get a snack after all, nothing more.
Being for the world, and being non-denominational, Pink Martini flows fluidly into a Judaeo-Spanish (Ladino) song for Hanukkah. Later, Vasquez plays a Spanish rock ballad about vulnerability on acoustic guitar, accompanied by the symphony and Dan Faehnle on electric guitar. Shortly after intermission, the band turns to a more solemn song, a Jewish prayer, Elohai, N’tzor, bringing us all back to thinking of God’s tender mercies.
The von Trapp’s treat us to a classical and comedic retelling of Die Dorfmusik, the yodeling song of two young lovers trying to find a place to kiss. Every time they go in to kiss each other, various villagers popup to sing loudly and interrupt (every parents’ dream date accompaniment).
Of special note are the performances of Gavin Bondy (trumpet) and Robert Taylor (trombone). Every time they play, their virtuosity and charisma as performers light up the stage. Bondy and Taylor participate throughout the concert and no one performance stands out above another. They are a fantastic team and add a special spark to every song.
The Utah Symphony provides an amplification of Pink Martini by adding a new dimension: a full orchestra. Lauderdale, at the end of Pink Martini concerts, unabashedly points out every single performer by name. With bravado, he does the same for the Utah Symphony, reading out every single performer in the entire orchestra (no small feat). The great respect Pink Martini has for music and for those who perform it is unparalleled.
Pink Martini knows how to throw a party. This holiday event is no different. If you want to have a good time, one that is great for adults and children alike, and one that celebrates the diversity across the world – this is the party you want to attend. Pink Martini’s Joy to the World: A Holiday Spectacular is wonderful, thoughtful, and fun. You cannot go wrong with this concert and if you can get tickets, you should go tonight, Saturday. You will be glad you did. If you miss this concert, you still need to see Pink Martini. When they come back again, whether with the Utah Symphony or not, you would be doing yourself a favor.
The Utah Symphony Presents Pink Martini’s Joy to the World: A Holiday Spectacular with the Utah Symphony
Abravanel Hall, 123 W South Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Tickets: $15-95
Contact: 801-533-6683
December 21- 22, 2018 7:30 PM
Utah Symphony Facebook Page
Pink Martini’s Utah Symphony Page
Pink Martini’s Joy to the World: A Holiday Spectacular with the Utah Symphony Facebook Event
Pink Martini’s Facebook Page
At the request of the symphony: Individuals ages five and older are welcome at this performance. Parents should ensure their children are able to sit quietly through the performance without disturbing others around them. No babes in arms will be admitted.
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