By Richelle Sutton
Utah Symphony continues its season at Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City, Utah where they give out some good holiday cheer in A Broadway Christmas with Ashley Brown. Music director Thierry Fischer brings in a guest conductor who is well known in the realm of symphonic pops. Michael Krajewski has conducted a plethora of symphonies across the nation, including the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Pops and the Cincinnati Pops, Seattle Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony , and National Symphony, just to name a few. He has also been music director of The Philly Pops and the Modesto Symphony Orchestra. The guest vocalist Ashley Brown is best known for originating the title role in the musical Mary Poppins on Broadway. However, she has also performed in national tours of Mary Poppins and Disney’s Off the Record. Other than her acting career, Brown has performed with most of the top orchestras in North America including the New York Philharmonic, The Pittsburgh Symphony, the Indianapolis Symphony, and even the BBC Orchestra with Josh Groban. Krajewski and Brown are also joined by the Choristers from The Madeleine Choir School. The Madeleine Choir School prides itself in its well-rounded curriculum that focuses on skills in liberal arts, science, technology, and choral training. The choristers serve over 9,000 hours per year in the Catholic Church and perform both nationally and abroad in such places as the Westminster Cathedral, Notre Dame, and St. Peter’s Basilica.
It is hard not to rave for hours about the quality of production and professionalism that the Utah Symphony boasts. Right from the start with the orchestra doing an arrangement of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”, I had goosebumps. The blend of all of the instruments in seamless harmonies is gratifying to hear and immediately puts you into the mood to listen to all of the Christmas classics. Thankfully, you’re in luck as the symphony hits many classic favorites such as “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”, “Jingle, Jingle Bells”, and “O Holy Night”. I also found that I enjoyed watching the perfect synchronicity of the string’s bows gliding up and down their instruments. With the beautiful Abravanel Hall, the sound of the orchestra fills every inch of the room, enveloping the audience in the serene calm of the melodies. The lighting of the space is skillful in enhancing the performers, but also creating an enchanting climate to really experience the music.
Krajewski himself is a brilliant conductor and very amusing as he introduces the songs. He opens “Sleigh Ride” with a whole tutorial on how to use the whip instrument that had the audience practically rolling on the floor laughing. Then continues to show his proficiency with said instrument throughout the classic Christmas concerto. The Choristers are also quite proficient, especially being so young. Their balanced choral harmonies are entrancing in songs such as “All is Well”. Lastly, I want to mention how impressed I was with the drum solo in “The Skater’s Overture”. It was intriguing to me to not only see the drummer there in the orchestra, but bassist and guitarist in the front as well. Their contributions to the orchestra really bring out the pop in the pieces.
I promise that you don’t want to miss this performance of A Broadway Christmas with Ashley Brown by the Utah Symphony. It’s a lot of Christmas fun and cheer for all those who enjoy the experience of excellently wrought music. So, take a seat in the lovely Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City, Utah and immerse yourself in the sound of the holidays.
Utah Symphony presents A Broadway Christmas with special guest vocalist Ashely Brown.
Abravanel Hall, 123 W S Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84101, USA
December 6-7, 2019, 7:30 PM
Tickets: $10-$92, discounts available for subscribers, families, groups, and student/youths
Utah Symphony Webpage
Utah Symphony Facebook Page
The Madeleine Choir School Facebook Page
A Broadway Christmas Event Page
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