By Carolyn Irvine
carolyn@newsroom.byu.edu
The Utah Symphony, under the direction of Pavel Kogan, demonstrated Utah's finest musical achievements during an April 29 performance in Abravanel Hall.
With guest soloist Elmar Oliveira, the symphony presented a seemingly flawless performance of Shostakovich's Violin Concerto No. 1 in A Minor, Sibelius' Finlandia, and Brahms' Symphony No. 1 in C Minor.
During his pre-concert lecture about Shostakovich's Violin Concerto, Associate Conductor Ardean Watts explained the history of this piece of music.
Standing in front of a small room of people, Watts conveyed confidence with his long goatee and head of white hair.
He said he wore a suit and tie as 'mourning clothes' for the many Soviets killed under Stalin's rule during Shostakovich's lifetime. This concerto was written by Shostakovich is memory of his fellow Soviets.
Watts told of Shostakovich's own struggles with the Russian government. Although Shostakovich encountered immense criticism, he said, 'Even if they chop my hands off, I will continue to compose music. Albeit I may have to hold the pen in my teeth.' With incredible determination, Shostakovich composed his violin concerto, Watts said.
Watts' lecture helped tremendously in understanding and appreciating the Symphony's performance. In closing, he played a recording of the Symphony previous performance of the Violin Concerto.
This performance was conducted under the hand of Maurice Abravanel when Watts was a member of the symphony.
As the music played, Watts said, 'if this piece sounds excruciatingly sad to you-it is.'
Later, when the hall filled with the sad minor tones of the concerto, Watt's words came back.
The music truly seemed to convey a feeling of loss and depression. The orchestra's clear tones interpreted the music perfectly. Oliveira played his solo as naturally as if he were scratching his head. The violin seemed an extension of his arm.
As the orchestra progressed through the movements, they exemplified the years of practice and dedication taken to achieve such a high level of ability. Each section of the orchestra operated as a unit of an efficient machine.
But no machine could make music as beautifully as the Utah Symphony did that night.