Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5

The Utah Symphony performed an all Russian program last night so I was a very happy girl!  The orchestra, under the baton of guest conductor David Danzmayr (who was very dynamic), began with the Prelude to Khovanshchina by Modest Mussorgsky.  Even though this opera is about the struggle between Peter the Great, who wants to implement Western reforms in Russia, and the Old Believers, who want to overthrow him, the Prelude depicts the dawn over the Moskva River and it is actually quite beautiful and soothing.  I especially loved the melody played by the oboe and the variations that followed.  Next came Piano Concerto No. 3 by Sergei Prokofiev with Andrew Staupe as soloist.  I really loved the haunting opening theme played by the clarinet because it reminded me of Russian folk music and the themes played by the solo piano are exciting and dramatic.  Staupe's performance was amazing (I loved watching his fingers fly up and down the keyboard) and he was rewarded with a well-earned standing ovation!  After the intermission, the orchestra performed the piece I was waiting all night to hear, Symphony No. 5 by Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.  I love Tchaikovsky's music because I think it is so emotional and that is especially true of this particular piece because it is his confrontation with fate.  I loved the plaintive theme played by the woodwinds in the first movement and the horn solo in the second movement was absolutely brilliant.  The final movement is incredibly stirring, particularly the themes played by the brass and the timpani, and, even though this piece is filled with melancholy and yearning, the ending is triumphant!  This concert was a wonderful way to spend an evening and, if you are a fan of Russian composers, I recommend getting a ticket for the same program tonight (go here).