Lockhart has recruited a first-class quartet of soloists: soprano Indra Thomas, mezzo Marietta Simpson, tenor Russell Thomas and bass-baritone Derrick Parker. All sang with keen musical focus and emotional conviction on Friday, but Indra Thomas was first among equals, thanks largely to her stunning delivery of the spiritual “O, By and By.” The Utah Symphony Chorus, impeccably prepared by Susanne Sheston, also sang with dramatic power and clear diction.
- The Salt Lake Tribune

What did you think of the concert? Leave your review in the comments!

We had a great season last year with five sold-out shows, and this year we’ve got another amazing lineup! Here are just a few of the great performances we have coming up at Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater:

The Music of the Eagles: A Rock Symphony with the Utah Symphony
Vivaldi’s Four Seasons
Chris Botti with the Utah Symphony
Summer Pops with Keith and Time for Three
Idina Menzel and the Utah Symphony
The Music of Queen with the Utah Symphony

We also have a great selection of chamber music and chamber groups in St. Mary’s Church and Temple Har Shalom. Visit the Deer Valley Music Festival website to explore the whole season, and buy your tickets!

If you are looking for more information about the concerto, we’re happy to point you in a few directions! Here are some links:

Salt Lake Tribune article about the background and performance of Four Angels
Notes from the composer, Mark Adamo, about the angels represented in the concerto
An advance article from Salt Lake City arts review, Ed Reichel
An article about harpist Louise Vickerman
A YouTube video of Louise Vickerman performing parts of the concerto, and demonstrating some of the harp techniques used

If you want even more information about the concerto, please join composer Mark Adamo and Music Director Emeritus Keith Lockhart before each concert this weekend at 7:15 PM in the First Tier Room of Abravanel Hall.

“I thought the performance last night was nothing short of brilliant.” – jwest (sltrib.com comment board)

“…’that was the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen.’ and that pretty much summed up this performance.” -readhead555 (sltrib.com comment board)

“AMAZING. Provocative. Beautiful. Stunning. Absolutely loved it.” -@sarabanaut

“…great art: provocative & open to many interpretations. Explored man’s struggle with God and/or religion.” -@learningwell

“I have wanted to hear this piece in person for more than 30 years. It was a rare treat to have it in Salt Lake City.” Sandefur Schmidt

“As I walked and listened I found a new appreciation for what I had witnessed and been a part of the evening before. All of a sudden something that was confusing and unpleasant became something moving and interesting.” -Kathy Elton Consulting

“There are some themes that might prove disturbing to some, but as a whole, it is a great work of art.” -Random Access

“It demanded your attention every moment and stirred many feelings. Loved it!” – Marilynn Bair via our Facebook Page

I really enjoyed it for the most part and thought that everyone did a great job. For me, the best part was the Agnus Dei (when everything went crazy and fell apart). Unfortunately, I hated my seats. What’s the deal with the bar right in front of your face in the second tier? I guess it wouldn’t be a big deal if there was nothing to see, but there was so much visually to see in this performance that bobbing my head up and down to see got old.

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.

We’re collecting memories of Keith Lockhart and memorable experiences relating to him for his final performance as Music Director later this month. Post your memory as a comment on this blog. Be sure to include your email address in case we need to get in touch with you!