By Kathryn Olsen for Front Row Reviewers
It is not the first time that the Utah Symphony has come to Salt Lake City‘s Abravanel Hall for this season, but this weekend’s Dvorak’s “New World” Symphony has a sense of returning that is unparalleled. The concert features not only two of the most widely-beloved pieces of orchestral music, but also the local talent of Utah violinist Aubree Oliverson.
It is usually here that I inject a quick note about having wanted to hear a piece performed or not being familiar with the repertoire. I have held season tickets to the Utah Symphony since 2011 and thought that I had said goodbye to Abravanel Hall in the Spring. It was also difficult to attend my final concert after five years as a local reviewer, so when I discovered that the Symphony would be playing one of my favorite pieces of all time a couple of weeks before my moving truck arrived, I was thrilled to be provided with tickets. My thanks go to the generous organization that allowed me to find solace in the symphony during the pandemic and many memorable performances over the years, but I will tell stories of individual musicians and the remarkable orchestra for years to come.
The titular work of this concert opens the program. Czech composer Antonin Dvorak composed his Symphony No. 9 in e minor, “From the New World” during his tenure at the National Conservatory of Music of America. The piece, which truly seems to invoke Americana a la Copeland at times, also includes homages to spirituals and moments of what must have been sublime inspiration. It is a powerful staple of 19th century music and a recording of it was even brought on Apollo 11 by Neil Armstrong. No one performer can claim credit for the brilliance of the performance, though the relentless precision of the timpanist in the finale is of note and many audience members ended the second movement in tears. The orchestra is almost inaudible in its reverence at times while the work is bookended by themes of great energy that was brought to light by the deliberate emphases on certain motifs. The musicians are to be commended for the overwhelming artistry.
Maurice Ravel‘s Bolero is no less recognizable Composed thirty-five years after Dvorak’s 9th, this 1928 dance piece by a French composer has a simple melody and countermelody that builds and harmonizes for over a quarter of an hour so that the tune introduced by the first flute is passed nineteen times between the musicians before its thrilling climax. Conductor Ludovic Morlot chooses to accelerate the tempo as the performance goes on, which lends an interesting new urgency and energy to a piece familiar to many music-lovers. The snare drummer whose rhythm never ceases never misses a beat and with the heightened challenge of the tempo, much of the applause must be reserved for them.
Oliverson is clearly a hometown favorite from Orem, but she earns the ovation of friend and stranger alike with her rendition of Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto, Op. 14. This piece for solo violin and orchestra premiered in 1939 against the protestations that the finale “was not violinistic” and “did not suit musically the other two movements.” Barber kept the unsuitable perpetual motion movement “out of artistic sincerity” and the concerto is a delight to listen to. Oliverson plays the concerto as though she has just had several deep conversations with the composer, seeming to reference other works of his in her expression. In the second movement, the orchestra has a lengthy introduction as though telling a tale and she responds and collaborates with great empathy and intuition. The final movement goes so quickly and intricately that the audience is compelled to sit in awe of Oliverson’s cascading and ascending notes that fly from her bow and fingerboard with undeniable personality.
Morlot directs the concert with charisma and energy, having obvious familiarity with the repertoire and an appreciation for its potential. He engages well with the musicians in moments of great power.
Having sat between an avid Dvorak fan and someone who had never heard any of the pieces before, I can say with certainty that this is one of those ideal performances where it can be enjoyed by people of many different backgrounds. Young and old will find something to connect to in the remaining concert.
There is only one performance left, so hurry to get your tickets to this exhilarating night of memorable music. Whether you have heard the music many times or not at all, you will enjoy the emotional ride.
Utah Symphony Presents Dvorak’s “New World” Symphony
Abravanel Hall, 123 W South Temple, Salt Lake City, UT84101
September 15-16, 2023, 7:30 PM
Tickets: $10.50-105
www.usuo.org
Contact: 801-533-5626
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