SALT LAKE CITY—Music Director Thierry Fischer will kick off a new initiative in his next performance with the Utah Symphony, as they present the world premiere of Swiss composer Michael Jarrell’s Émergences – Nachlese VI.
Fischer plans to commission one new work with the Utah Symphony each season, beginning with the premiere of Émergences, a cello concerto featuring guest artist Jean-Guihen Queyras on Friday, February 3 and Saturday, February 4 at 8 p.m. in Abravanel Hall.
“I am reintroducing commissions into the Utah Symphony’s repertoire to show that programming is not only about the past, it is also about the present and looking to the future,” Fischer said. “It was extremely crucial for me that we motivate composers to create in this century and support them as an essential part of the creative process.”
Émergences is a co-commission by the Utah Symphony, Orchestre National de Lyon, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande and Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg, with support from the Swiss Arts Council, Pro Helvetia.
Having known Jarrell for nearly 20 years and conducted many of his pieces, Fischer said he is pleased to be able to work on this project with Jarrell, who will travel to Salt Lake City to join the Utah Symphony in rehearsals and witness the world premiere at Abravanel Hall.
In addition to supporting the work of living composers, Fischer’s goals with this new initiative include giving the Utah Symphony such opportunities to work with these composers in person as they approach new writing styles, and inviting Utah Symphony audiences to embrace unfamiliar works.
“There is a belief that contemporary music is not always agreeable to listen to, but it need not be more difficult than a very long Beethoven symphony,” Fischer said. “It’s all about your approach. That is why I’ve made the program very attractive, with the commission extremely well surrounded by beautiful, accessible pieces.”
Émergences is the sixth piece in Jarrel’s Nachlese set, each based on a common theme of coming back to musical ideas left behind from previous projects and developing them in new capacities.
“Composition works like an arborescent structure. At each ramification you choose a path, which depends on the whole dynamic of the entire piece,” Jarrell said, describing the concept behind the set. “Doing this, you leave quite a lot of ideas and fragments behind.”
Fischer predicted that a standout aspect of Émergences will be the extreme virtuosity of the soloist part, as well as Jarrell’s transparent and direct writing style.
“His music is very inspiring for me,” Fischer said. “It is current and optimistic, and as I study this new score I am pleased to see many of the things I admire about his work.”
Fischer, Jarrell and Toby Tolokan, Utah Symphony Vice President of Artistic Planning, will present a free pre-concert lecture 45 minutes prior to the start of each performance in the First Tier Room of Abravanel Hall.
Single tickets for the performances range from $25 to $75 and can be purchased by calling (801) 355-ARTS (2787), in person at the Abravanel Hall ticket office (123 W. South Temple) or by visiting www.utahsymphony.org. Discounted student tickets will be available on the date of the performance. Season ticket holders and those desiring group discounts should call (801) 533-NOTE (6683). All ticket prices are subject to change and availability. Ticket prices will increase $5 when purchased on the day of the performance.
