By Madison Moretti
The Utah Symphony has returned to Salt Lake City‘s Abravanel Hall with a stunning line-up of masterpieces from composers J.S. Bach, Arnold Schoenberg, Valerie Coleman, Andrea Venet, and Quinn Mason. The concert is staged and performed following strict adherence to COVID-19 guidelines, allow audiences to participate in a night of comfort and safety while enjoying first-class entertainment.The evening combines live and pre-recorded performances, allowing the full Symphony to be enjoyed despite their inability to fully share the stage. It is all under the exceptional direction of Therry Fischer.
The first piece of the evening, Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, is an instant favorite for those avid lovers of Baroque Era music as well as those unfamiliar with it. It is unique in that it does not feature a full-length adagio section, but rather an improvised cadenza section that allows the featured soloists to express their own creativity in harmony with Bach’s vision. Particularly delightful is the back and forth banter of the violins and violas throughout all three movements.
The second piece of the evening is Schoenberg’s Transfigured Night, a piece rich in the complexities of Late Romantic-era harmonic theory. It is said that this piece was the true beginning of the modern era of music, as it was a startling departure from the European classical music popular at the time of its composition. This performance of Transfigured Night paints the image of a moonlit forest and the passions and agonies of two lovers, who embark on a journey of guilt, forgiveness, and a rapturous and ecstatic union. Schoenberg drew inspiration for this piece from poet Richard Dehmel’s Weib und Welt (“Woman and World”).
At this point in the evening, the audience is able to enjoy pre-recorded performances from the Symphony’s time in quarantine, during which time the individual members recorded their parts which were then edited into a single video. This brief demonstration of resilience from the Symphony is a true testament to the determination and endurance of the performing arts in these difficult times. Artists of every variety will always find a way to share their creations, no matter how trying the circumstances. Despite the continuing limitations that the pandemic has created, the performing arts have reinvented their methods of sharing with audiences, and have even found ways to reach even greater audiences.
The last half of the evening features three short pieces: Coleman’s Afro-Cuban Concerto for wind quintet, Venet’s Omnes Trio for percussion, and Mason’s Changes/Transitions. Coleman’s and Venet’s pieces both allow for groups of the Symphony to perform on-stage that otherwise would not be permitted to do so due to COVID-19 guidelines. During these pieces, the stage is cleared of all performers before allowing the wind players and percussionists to take the stage at appropriate social-distancing intervals and perform safely.
The wind piece written by Coleman is performed by a dynamic quintet of wind players and showcases the individual talent of the performers by highlighting how flawlessly they are able to maintain the intricate rhythms and phrases of their individual lines while blending seamlessly with the other musicians.
Venet’s trio allows a unique showcasing of the percussion section, by creating an almost tribal energy that flows and builds and creates an exciting and energized performance that will draw the audience in.
Changes/Transitions is another pre-recorded performance set to footage of the current civil rights protests happening throughout the country, and poinently asks the audience, “Although we’ve come so far, how can we continue to grow into who we need to be?” While the performance of the music is an accompaniment to the footage, the music is enjoyable and it serves as a beautiful closing number for the evening.
It is a true delight to see the Utah Symphony performing live again, and demonstrates the diligence and determination of the performing arts. Featuring masterpieces spanning multiple eras of music, this concert is a moving and enriching experience for all ages to enjoy. The Utah Symphony will be playing this concert again Friday, September 25, and Saturday, September 26, so don’t hesitate to grab tickets now.
0 Comments