The regrettably curtailed composing and performing career of Clara Wieck Schumann is an interesting footnote in music history. This weekend, the Utah Symphony presents Schumann's Piano Concerto, composed in her teens, on a program with music by the two most important men in her life: Robert Schumann and Johannes Brahms.

Armenian pianist Nareh Arghamanyan, barely out of her teens herself, gave a persuasive performance of the concerto, a charming work that hints at the fine career that could have been. Arghamanyan dashed nimbly through the virtuosic first movement and sparkled in the sprightly finale, but the most engaging moments came in the slow movement, which paired the soloist with Utah Symphony principal cellist Ryan Selberg in a lovely, lyrical duet. For an encore, Arghamanyan dazzled the Abravanel Hall crowd with a dizzyingly fast rendition of Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian's "Sabre Dance."

Vienna-born conductor Christian Arming also led the orchestra in a dramatically satisfying performance of Brahms' "Tragic" Overture and Robert Schumann's Symphony No. 2. It seems the Utah Symphony is playing that particular symphony every time you turn around, but Arming's account is worth hearing. He got an especially fine performance from the string players; their articulation in the devilishly fast passages that open the second movement was particularly noteworthy.

Catherine Reese Newton is a music critic. Contact her at creese@sltrib.com or 801-257-8616. Twitter: @cathycomma —

Utah Symphony

Music of Robert Schumann, Clara Schumann and Johannes Brahms.

With • Conductor Christian Arming and pianist Nareh Arghamanyan.

When • Reviewed Friday, March 4; repeats Saturday, March 5, at 8 p.m.

Where • Abravanel Hall, 123 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City.

Running time • Two hours, including intermission.

Tickets • $20 to $90; www.utahsymphony.org, 801-355-ARTS or the box office.