Keith’s Finale in the news

Bernstein’s MASS being performed in Salt Lake City would be a big deal even if it weren’t Keith’s final performance as Music Director. I popped my head in the other day to watch a rehearsal and as soon as the kazoo came out, I knew this would be unlike anything I’d ever seen at Abravanel Hall. I’ve been listening to the music on iTunes to get myself ready, and the more I listen and read, the more excited I’m getting about this weekend. My first thought was that it sounds a bit like a 1970’s rock opera – something like The Who’s Tommy – but there are so many musical styles in the piece that it’s hard to peg it into any single genre. It’s one of those pieces that you have to experience live to really get.

There have been a few previews for this weekend’s performances in the papers this week – especially in the Salt Lake Tribune. Catherine Reese Newton wrote up a fantastic preview of the concert with interviews by Keith Lockhart, Michael Scarola, and Jeff Bram. She tackled some of the controversy of the piece (which some believe is a little irreverent) and had Keith explain why he picked this, of all pieces, for his final piece as Music Director.

Also, the Trib looked back on Keith’s tenure as Music Director and published a “Top 10″ list of landmark performances he conducted. My favorite though was an article with memories of Keith Lockhart from reviewers and others involved with the SLC music scene.

Ed Reichel also wrote up an interesting article where he interviewed CEO Melia Tourangeau about Keith’s tenure and the future of the Utah Symphony.

If you’d like to learn a bit more about Bernstein’s MASS, I found two great YouTube videos. The first is a preview by Marin Alsop, Music Director for the Baltimore Symphony. They performed this piece earlier this season. Second is a video I found of Renee Flemming singing “Simple Song” (from the beginning of MASS). It’s beautiful.

If you don’t already have your tickets for this weekend – don’t procrastinate! Because of the stage extension there are a few hundred fewer seats than normal in Abravanel Hall, and this performance would easily have sold out if those seats were available. You can buy tickets online through our website.