Ode to Joy

If you were not at Abravanel Hall last night you definitely missed out on a magnificent performance!  The orchestra began with a new piece by Andrew Norman, Composer-in-Association with the Utah Symphony, called Suspend.  The composer was there to introduce the piece which was commissioned by pianist Emanuel Ax.  He explained that he wanted the piece to represent the freedom that comes from solitude and that theme really resonated with me because I crave solitude.  Soloist Jason Hardink began by softly playing notes, seemingly at random, and then continued in an almost improvisational manner.  Different sections of the orchestra gradually joined in as the piece escaped from the pianist's mind to become a composition.  The piece ended as it began with the just the pianist, alone once again, playing a few random notes.  I was fascinated by the percussion section because they used bows on different percussion instruments instead of mallets (I'm sure there is a proper term for this) and the effect was quite otherworldly.  I really loved it.  After the intermission the orchestra was joined by the Utah Symphony Chorus, the Choirs of the University of Utah, and soloists Joelle Harvey, Kirsten Chavez, Issachah Savage, and Patrick Carfizzi for Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 "Ode to Joy."  This piece is simply amazing and it was performed brilliantly!  I loved the timpani in the first movement, the jaunty theme played by the woodwinds in the second movement, and the beautiful melody played by the strings in the third movement.  Then the stirring and life-affirming fourth movement just blew me away.  The instantly recognizable theme began softly with the cellos and then it was repeated, in turn, by different sections of the orchestra and, finally, by the soloists and the choirs.  I was absolutely overcome!  During the thunderous standing ovation the little old lady next to me turned and said, "I don't think you have really lived if you haven't heard that played live!"  I agree wholeheartedly and suggest you get a ticket (go here) to hear it when it is performed again tonight!