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Utah Chamber Artists will presents one of Igor Stravinsky's most respected works, "Symphony of Psalms," on February 27.
The concert, at Libby Gardner Concert Hall at 7:30 PM, focuses on various choral settings from the Bible's "Book of Psalms," according to program notes from Patrick Gardner of Riverside Choral Society.
More program notes: The Psalms have been a rich resource for composers for centuries and during the first half of the program the Utah Chamber Artists choir will explore musical interpretations of these sacred texts. Composers Purcell, Rachmaninov, and Chesnokov, who chose to set writings for a cappella choirs, are featured. In addition organist Douglas O'Neill will accompany the choir in works by John Rutter and Howard Hanson. Mr. O'Neill will also consider the "symphony" as he performs solo selections from Widor's 5th "Organ Symphony." The concert will conclude the evening with the Stravinsky work. The orchestra and University of Utah Singers will join the UCA choir to perform what TIME magazine named the best piece of the 20th century. Artistic Director Barlow Bradford concurs. "I think the Stravinsky Symphony of Psalms is one of the great choral works of the twentieth century. We are looking forward to exploring this great work of art and presenting it to our audiences". The instrumentation for the three-movement work is non-traditional instrumentation with a major emphasis on winds, brass and percussion. Noticeably absent are violins, violas, and clarinets. The colors and timbres of this orchestration - combined with the chorus – have been described as "austere", and "archaic". "Stravinsky seeks to create transcendent ritual rather than a sentimental emotive experience." * We are also pleased to feature pianists Vedrana Subotic and Jason Hardink as part of the ensemble. Tickets are available online at http://www.kingtix.org, on the phone at 801.581.7100 and will be available at the door. Tickets purchased before February 21 are $15 and $10. After they are $17.50 and $12. A shuttle will run from the Rice-Eccles Stadium to the Libby Gardner Concert Hall.
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