This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Utah Chamber Artists will presents one of Igor Stravinsky's most respected works, "Symphony of Psalms," on Feb. 27.
The concert, at Libby Gardner Concert Hall at 7:30 p.m., will feature various choral settings from the Bible's Book of Psalms, according to program notes from Patrick Gardner of Riverside Choral Society.
An excerpt from the 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".
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 Feb. 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.