By Larissa Salcido Carrick
Utah Symphony in Salt Lake City presents Tchiakovsky’s “Pathetique”, leaving its audience with a night of emotional introspection. The night begins with Wagner’s Overture to Tannhauser. The piece is a representation of a pilgrim’s journey, Tannhauser, as he ventures through personal downfall that leads him to finding his own redemption. This is a perfect introduction to what the audience will be experiencing for the evening. Wagner’s piece is followed by three pieces by Berlioz. The first two pieces, “Sara la baineuse”, “Balade for Three Choruses and Orchestra”, and “La Mort d’Ophelie” from Tristia, are accompanied by the University of Utah Chamber Choir. “Sara la baineuse” was originally composed in three parts for solo voices. Yet, the fullness of the Chamber Choir pushed the sound with a richness unmatched. “La Mort d’Ophelie”, with only the female voices remaining, was the perfect ode to Shakespeare’s Ophelia. a funeral march led by women to pay respect to one of Shakespeare’s most heartbreakingly tragic characters. The third piece by Berlioz is “Reverie et caprice for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 8”, with violinist Philippe Quint. Quint’s precision and passion allows the audience to feel the piece almost as much as he apparently does on stage. It is an honor to witness a musician’s love affair with music and Quint eagerly welcomes you to witness just that.
After a short intermission, the audience is prepared for Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, Op. 74, the symphony also referred to as “Pathetique.” It is given this name due to the obvious tumult of emotions underlining the score. With explosive crescendos and solemn reductions, it gives the impression of an unpredictable storm always lying in wait. Remarkably passionate and erratic, “Pathetique” can be the only term appropriate for such a piece. When “Pathetique” was first debuted, the audience was left shocked and confused. Audiences today are still left to guess exactly what Tchaikovsky’s intention was behind such a unique piece. Made up of four parts, each part offers some insight to Tchaikosvky’s message of a fierce mind. Conductor Theirry Fischer was seemingly consumed by the storm that is “Pathetique.” His entire body brought forth the sound with huge waves of the arms, nods of the head, and sharp gestures punctuating each explosion of sound. The audience is left stunned as the bass instruments slowly faded away, marking the finale. Several seconds passed before the applause and standing ovation erupted.
My attendance at Tchaikovsky’s “Pathetique” at Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City was a night that forced me to feel the turbulent mind of one, and left me to consider the state of my own.
The Utah Symphony Presents Tchaikovsky’s “Pathetique”
Abravanel Hall, 123 W South Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
February 8-9, 2019 7:30 PM
Tickets: $15-$89
Contact: 801-533-6683
Utah Symphony Facebook Page
Tchaikovsky’s “Pathetique” Facebook Event
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