Utah Symphony musicians at the Kol Ami Concert Series

Utah Symphony violinist Carol Borman presented a formidable evening of chamber music by new Jewish composers at Kol Ami on January 16, 2009 at 7 pm.  Despite the foreboding weather (and even some talk of postponing the concert) there was an enthusiastic crowd of about 50 people in attendance. (There were about 40 prepaid ticket holders, including some who canceled because of the weather).

The program opened with Songs from The Owl and Pussycat as sung by soprano Channel Wood, a fabulous new talent from Utah Opera.  She certainly stole the show!  Next Carey Cheney, adjunct professor from the University of Utah, performed and spoke eloquently about the Concerto for Cello by Jacobi. After a brief intermission, Carol performed a charming Variations on a Theme by Paradis (who was a talented woman composer form the 1700’s).  The concert ended with a flash of virtuosity by Carol, Russell Harlow, and Heather Conner performing Paul Schoenfeld’s Trio for Clarinet, Violin, and Piano. The audience greeted them with a standing ovation.  A reception with wine, cheese, and fruit followed the concert.
I only wish that more people could have braved the weather to hear this exciting program.  Kudos to Carol for her exciting performance and all the hard work that was put into organizing this concert!

The Kol Ami Concert Series will present 3 more programs this season:

“Gypsy Rondo to Dumka” March 15, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Hyunsoon Whang, associate piano professor at Cameron University in Oklahoma joins Lun Jiang and Pegsoon Whang, two members of the Utah Symphony, to perform Haydn’s Gypsy, the Brahms’ Violin Sonata in A, and the Dumky Trio by Dvorak. Hyunsoon Whang is a Julliard and Indiana University graduate who has performed all over Asia and Europe as well as in the United States. Lun Jiang has won numerous chamber music competitions and has released 2 CDs. Pegsoon and Hyunsoon have been playing music together since they were children, and adding Lun to the mix should be even more fun.

Utah Symphony violinist Lynn Maxine Rosen, bass clarinetist David Asman, Utah Symphony principal clarinetist Tad Calcara, violist Joel Rosenberg, and friends will perform a program on May 4, 2009. Please note this is a Monday night. These will include a daunting piece entitled The Dreams and Prayers of Isaac the Blind, by Osvaldo Golijov.

Tad Calcara and the New Deal Swing Band will end the season on May 31, 2009 with a fabulous tribute to Benny Goodman as the world observes the King of Swing’s 100th birthday. The concert will feature sixteen of Salt Lake City’s best Jazz musicians performing actual scores written in the 1930s & 40s obtained from the Benny Goodman estate. In addition historic film footage of Benny Goodman will be shown along with displays of Goodman memorabilia. Live, music, dancing, and refreshments are all part of this centennial tribute to our first pop culture hero, clarinetist/bandleader Benny Goodman!

Don’t miss the great line up of music at Kol Ami this spring! For tickets, contact Sarah Stein at 801-484-1501 ext. 21.