What is needed for a night of awesome music? Atmosphere. A good set of musicians. A dynamic conductor. Hellfire and damnation. Wild-card composers.
Luckily, the Utah Symphony has these in spades, and it’s pulling them all out for the performances of Dmitri Shostakovich’s “Symphony No. 5,” which also features Mozart’s “Don Giovanni Overture” and Benjamin Britten’s “Concerto for Violin.”
Shostakovich is one of the most influential Russian composers of the Soviet era. Somehow, he managed to fly in the face of the authorities, which often resulted in his music being banned, and still survive the Soviet era with accolades. The brutality of the era had some redeeming factors for the composer, though. There was so much suffering that Shostakovich was able to draw on the collective human grief and turn it into some fantastic music. Although he was heavily influenced by Mahler, Prokofiev and Stravinsky, Shostakovich added unique elements of his own to his music.
His “Symphony No. 5 in D minor” is the most popular of his compositions. Premiering in Leningrad, Russia in 1937, “Symphony No. 5” received a 40-minute standing ovation. Forty-five minutes long and encompassing four movements, “Symphony No. 5” is Shostakovich’s saving grace. He was under pressure to conform to the system, and this symphony allowed him to do so while still being true to himself and his art.
It goes without saying that Mozart’s “Don Giovanni Overture” is one of the enduring pieces of operatic music. It brings in the hellfire and damnation mentioned above. From the moment the opening chords sound, you can almost see the demons chilling onstage as they wait for the sanctimonious prick Don Giovanni to get himself damned. Fantastic fun, nice and spooky.
Last, but far from least, is the middle part of the program, Britten’s “Concerto for Violin.” This isn’t just any old violin concerto (if there is such a thing). It is widely recognized by violinists as being one of the most difficult compositions to play, period. The Utah Symphony’s own concertmaster, Ralph Matson, takes the stage to perform it.
Fully qualified, Matson has been the Symphony’s concertmaster since 1985, and received his bachelor’s degree from Yale University and his master’s degree from the Yale School of Music. The concerto itself was written by Britten in 1939. It’s appropriate in the context of this performance that Britten was a close friend
of Shostakovich’s.
The concerts are Nov. 21 and Nov. 22 at Abravanel Hall and feature an open-to-the-public dress rehearsal at 10 a.m. on Nov. 21. Tickets for the performance cost from $16 to $60 and $21 for the dress rehearsal. Those desiring student discounts should call 801-533-NOTE. Tickets are also available at the Abravanel Hall box office and at www.utahsymphony.org. Go to the performance. Do it for the symphony. Do it for your country. Do it for the entertainment.