Review by Megan Holley, Front Row Reviewers
At Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City, the Utah Symphony is performing Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 2 and A Concerto with the World’s Top Violist. Going to the symphony, I get to experience the classic music that I hear over the radio in a live setting. I sit back, relax, and watch the performance unfold. The performance hall also boasts incredible acoustics that make me feel the music as it reverberates all around me, pulling me deeper into the performance. Guest Conductor Lidiya Yankovskaya is electrifying as she brings us such incredible music. It becomes a physical experience—she pours her heart and soul into the performance.
The first song, “Suite” from The Invisible City of Kitezh by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, is so dynamic that I actually felt as though I was in that busy city finding a quiet place to rest for a bit. The pizzicato, or plucking of violin strings, and the jingling bells that are combined with the entire symphony during the second movement of the piece get to a climax where it feels so emergent and important that the music kept me enthralled.
The U.S. Premiere and Utah Symphony co-commission of Michael Jarrell’s atonal piece Emergences-Resurgences featured a performance by Tabea Zimmermann, one of the world’s top violists. This piece was also dedicated to Zimmermann by Jarrell. This particular piece is intricate with lots of tritones, especially on the viola. In the middle of the 2nd movement, the tone changes into an eerie and suspenseful tone and it is goosebump-raising. Zimmermann’s movement and pizzicato passages really drew the audience in and helped aid in the storytelling of the music.
Right after intermission, I was sucked into the beautiful Andante & Hungarian Rondo by Carl-Maria von Weber, Allegretto, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 2, particularly in the third movement’s scherzo, I loved the crescendos and decrescendos that brought the piece to life. They contrast each other so well that I could distinctly tell when they are doing a classic crescendo or decrescendo; the way that they do these made me feel like I was moving with every single one of them. For many music-lovers, it will likely be the Finale that you will recognize; with all of its intricate musical moments to the toe-tapping and energetic ending you will be wanting to come back for more.
Music Director Thierry Fischer has once again chosen fantastic pieces for the Utah Symphony to perform. It is his 13th year as the Music Director at the Utah Symphony; every year he chooses the most exquisite music for the symphony to perform.
Bring your music-loving friends, enthusiasts, and family to enjoy a magical night out at the Utah Symphony. This is one gem in downtown Salt Lake City that you will never want to miss.
Note: The Utah Symphony is for everyone, so please invest in the beauty and fun with the Utah Symphony’s student All Access Pass so you can experience the Utah Symphony with an inexpensive access to these performances. I have been reviewing Utah Symphony performances for Front Row Reviewers for many years, and each one has been a wonderful experience. I look forward to coming to Abravanel Hall as often as I can.
The Utah Symphony Presents Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 2 & A Concerto with the World’s Top Violist
Abravanel Hall, 123 W South Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Tickets: Student/Under 30 $20.00-$83.00, Wheelchair $28.00-$72.00, Regular Ticket $28.00-$89.00
Contact: 801-533-6683
February 23 -24, 2024, 7:30 PM
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