Some words before the weekend…
November 18th, 2008 by Ralph Matson
With the rare convergence of the presentation of a major work for solo instrument by one of the 20th Century’s most remarkable composers, with my almost complete lack of familiarity with this piece, it is my conceit for this weekend’s concerts that we are hearing a “Utah Symphony premier,” of a work by Benjamin Britten, no less.
Britten’s Violin Concerto is a spectacle of lyricism and color. In the three movements, listen for:
I. Vocal lyricism, sparkling orchestration
II. A diabolic scherzo; think Shostakovich
III. Variations on a repeated bass line; processional tranfiguring
Enjoy the performance!
Posted in Utah Symphony
