Robert Trevino Conducts Walker, Grieg & Stravinsky

I was so happy to be back at Abravanel Hall last night for my first Utah Symphony concert of 2022 because it was absolutely amazing!  The orchestra began with Sinfonia No 4 "Strands" by George Walker.  I was not at all familiar with this piece (or this composer) but I really enjoyed it because it is very dramatic.  I particularly loved a theme played by a solo cello as well as themes played by the timpani and percussion, especially the gong at the end.  Next came Edvard Grieg's Piano Concerto.  I was really excited for this because it is one of my favorite pieces and the orchestra and soloist Benjamin Grosvenor performed it brilliantly.  The instantly recognizable opening notes played by the piano gave me goosebumps and each successive repetition of the theme during the first movement was equally thrilling (the entire audience gave a rousing round of applause after this movement).  The second movement was my favorite because it is a just a bit melancholy and I loved the interaction between the piano and the solo horn.  I also really enjoyed all of the Norwegian folk dances featured in the third movement.  Grosvenor's fingers literally flew up and down the keyboard so he was very entertaining to watch.  He received a well-deserved standing ovation after which he performed a beautiful encore featuring Dance of the Beautiful Maiden by Alberto Ginastera.  After the intermission, the concert concluded with Petrouchka by Igor Stravinsky.  This ballet tells the story of three puppets who are brought to life at a fair in St. Petersburg and Stravinsky's music is incredibly stirring.  I could almost picture the action in my head as the orchestra played.  I especially loved the fanfare played by the brass to announce the carnival barker, the drum roll that announces the puppet show, and the theme played by the flutes as the puppets are brought to life.  All of the Russian folk music used as the puppets dance is quite exhilarating and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole piece.  This program will be performed again tonight and I highly recommend getting a ticket (go here).