Last night I went to a lovely Utah Symphony concert with my friend Angela. I didn't pick this concert when I was creating my season package but I've had my eye on it. When my friend suggested that we get tickets I immediately said yes and I am so glad that I did because I enjoyed the performance so much! The orchestra began with the Orchestral Suite from Appalachian Spring by Aaron Copland. I always enjoy hearing this piece, especially the variations on the Quaker hymn "Simple Gifts" which is first developed by a solo clarinet and then repeated by various instruments. Then the orchestra was joined by soloist James Ehnes for Concerto No. 1 for Violin and Orchestra by Max Bruch. I had never heard this piece before but I really loved it. I found it to be incredibly passionate and just a little bit mournful. Ehnes performed it brilliantly, almost making his violin sing as it soared to loftier and loftier heights. He was rewarded with an instant standing ovation and he favored the crowd with an encore. After the intermission, the orchestra performed a new piece called Transcend by Zhou Tian which was commissioned to commemorate the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad, which linked the U.S. from east to west for the first time, 150 years ago. I liked it, especially when the instruments mimicked the sound of the Morse code in the telegraph that was sent when the railroad was complete. The concert concluded with Copland's Orchestral Suite from Billy the Kid. My favorite part of this piece was "Running Gun Battle," which represents Billy the Kid's ambush by Sheriff Pat Garrett, because it features very dramatic percussion! This will surely be one of my favorite Utah Symphony concerts this season and I am so glad my friend suggested it!
Note: After listening to Transcend last night and attending the Utah Symphony and Tabernacle Choir performance last week, both of which commemorated the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad, I really want to visit the Golden Spike Historic Site!
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