Last night I attended another wonderful performance by the Utah Symphony. The concert began with Suite en concert for Flute and Four Percussionists by Andre Jolivet and it featured Utah Symphony musicians Keith Carrick, Eric Hopkins, Michael Pape, and Gavin Ryan on percussion and guest soloist Demarre McGill on flute. This piece was mysterious and primitive and, in my opinion, it almost seemed like the notes played by the flute were casting a spell on the audience. I especially liked the second movement because it was very solemn and sounded like it could have been used in a sacred rite. It included a gong (which I love) and an alto flute which is bigger and has a much deeper tone. McGill played this highly technical piece brilliantly and I wish that the audience had been bigger to show him the appreciation he deserved (we tried and were rewarded with an encore). The concert concluded with Ludwig van Beethoven's Sumphony No. 1. I think Music Director Thierry Fischer has a real affinity for Beethoven and he led the orchestra through a lovely performance of this piece. I really like the first movement because the opening notes are so dramatic and the themes played by the strings and woodwinds together are beautiful. This symphony is incredibly joyful and exuberant and I left Abravanel Hall feeling so happy and lighthearted. I highly recommend getting a ticket to the concerts tonight or Saturday featuring the same program (go here).
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