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The Utah Symphony has taken up cycling again. After spending the past several seasons exploring the symphonic output of Ludwig van Beethoven, Felix Mendelssohn, Carl Nielsen and Gustav Mahler, music director Thierry Fischer is going all out this year with three cycles: all the symphonies of Johannes Brahms and Charles Ives and all the piano concertos of Beethoven.
First out of the gate is Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 1 — technically not the composer's first effort in the genre, but let's not quibble. The orchestra brought in a noted Beethoven specialist, Jonathan Biss, as soloist on its opening weekend. Biss impressed the Abravanel Hall crowd with his clean, incisive technique. The second movement, while on the brisk side, was a sheer delight, featuring a beautiful dialogue between Biss and the orchestra's principal clarinetist, Tad Calcara.But the fast movements were no less poetic. The cadenza in the first movement was particularly engrossing.
After intermission came another crowd-pleaser, Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5. Fischer let the orchestra play full throttle, showing off a big, bold wave of sound. Amid a strong performance by the brass section, Edmund Rollett earned applause with his smooth delivery of the famous horn solo.
The program opened with Handel's "Music for the Royal Fireworks," which the chamber-sized orchestra played while standing. Trumpeter Jeff Luke showed off his solid Baroque skills, abetted by sectionmate Peter Margulies. Leon Chodos also had a stellar contrabassoon solo. —
Utah Symphony
The season opens with music of Beethoven, Handel and Tchaikovsky.
With • Conductor Thierry Fischer and pianist Jonathan Biss
Where • Abravanel Hall, 123 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City
When • Reviewed Friday, Sept. 9; repeats Saturday, Sept. 10, at 7:30 p.m.
Running time • 2 hours, 20 minutes, including intermission
Tickets • $15-$65; utahsymphony.org