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One of the greatest musicians alive is appearing with the Utah Symphony this weekend. Friday's concert, the first of Yefim Bronfman's two-night engagement in Abravanel Hall, was the kind of performance that leaves you shaking your head in amazement at what you've heard.
The superlative-defying Bronfman performed Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 2. Though still abundantly grand, it's the less epic of Brahms' two concertos for the instrument, and it features several moments of striking intimacy as the soloist engages in dialogue with various members of the orchestra. Especially compelling on Friday were Bronfman's interactions with the Utah Symphony's new principal cellist, Rainer Eudeikis. But the pianist integrated seamlessly into the musical fabric throughout the 50-minute concerto. His delivery of the soft passages in the third movement had an almost magical glow, and he played the more extroverted sections of the opening and closing movements with unmistakable authority. As pianist Karlyn Bond, who heads Westminster College's music department, remarked after the concert, "That Brahms could have resurrected Brahms."
The Utah Symphony, under music director Thierry Fischer, rose to the occasion with a nicely nuanced supporting performance.
After a noisy standing ovation, Bronfman returned with an all-too-brief encore, the F Major Etude from Chopin's Op. 10, which he played with astonishing finesse.
Fischer opened Friday's concert with two pieces that spotlighted different sections of the orchestra: Stravinsky's piquant Symphonies of Wind Instruments, scored for woodwinds and brass, and Schoenberg's luminous "Verklärte Nacht (Transfigured Night)" for string orchestra. Both pieces were performed with transparency and refinement. Concertmaster Ralph Matson and violist Brant Bayless played with particularly exquisite delicacy. —
Utah Symphony
Music of Stravinsky, Schoenberg and Brahms.
With • Conductor Thierry Fischer and pianist Yefim Bronfman
Where • Abravanel Hall, 123 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City
When • Reviewed Friday, Sept. 19; repeats Saturday, Sept. 20, at 8 p.m.
Running time • About 2 hours, including intermission
Tickets • $23-$60 at http://www.utahsymphony.org
Vivace • The Utah Symphony's group for young adults offers a concert ticket, special "funkified" program notes and an after-party with musicians at Caffe Molise. It's $34 per concert, or $160.50 for the six-concert Vivace series. Use the promo code "vivace."