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Who won Monday night's debate? The people who decided to go hear Utah Chamber Artists instead.

Barlow Bradford's chamber choir and orchestra presented their annual Autumn Collage concert in Salt Lake City's Cathedral of the Madeleine, unspooling a continuous ribbon of sound through the beautiful building. This year's edition was classic Bradford: a generous portion of English music, a bunch of Brahms and a contribution from composer J.A.C. Redford, a longtime friend of the group. Another regular guest, Cathedral of the Madeleine organist Gabriele Terrone, made stellar contributions in two solo selections by Louis Vierne as well as augmenting the fine orchestra. Longtime UCA concertmaster David Porter, a veteran of the Utah Symphony, made a striking comeback from this spring's career-threatening injury; he was back in top form in contrasting selections by Eugène Ysaÿe and contemporary composer David Froom. And the choir sounded splendid as always in everything it sang. Utah Symphony pianist Jason Hardink gave the choir's regular accompanist, Jared Pierce, a major assist as the two teamed up for the four-hands accompaniment to two of Brahms' "Liebeslieder" waltzes.

What was new this year? Dance. Ririe-Woodbury's Alexandra Jane Bradshaw, Yebel Gallegos, Mary Lyn Graves and Bashaun Williams executed choreography by their artistic director, Daniel Charon, with power and grace. Because the cathedral is not primarily a performance space and thus does not have a raked floor, short patrons were at a disadvantage when the dancers first appeared in the chapels on the north side of the building to perform brief selections to music of Donald Skirvin. Sight lines were much more accessible during the performance of Redford's "Rest Now, My Sister," a heart-rending yet ultimately tender response to a family tragedy. Charon sent his dancers throughout the cathedral as effectively as the music filled the space with sound.

Still, no one commanded the venue more decisively than Kirstin Chávez, the newest member of the University of Utah voice faculty, whose richly colored mezzo-soprano voice sounded as if it were made for this space. Brahms' Alto Rhapsody was the main attraction, and the sound of the UCA men and orchestra supporting Chávez was something to savor. She was equally stunning in a Brahms art song, with Bradford himself at the piano. Finally, her saucy delivery of the "Seguidilla" from Bizet's "Carmen" threatened to run away with the show. Surely Utah Chamber Artists fans will hear more from this compelling performer. —

Utah Chamber Artists

The group presents its annual Autumn Collage.

With • Conductor Barlow Bradford, members of Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company, mezzo-soprano Kirstin Chávez, organist Gabriele Terrone and violinist David Porter

Where • Cathedral of the Madeleine, Salt Lake City

When • Monday, Sept. 26