Sunday – 26 September 2010
Last night, SaraRules and I went to Abravanel Hall to attend the debut of Thierry Fischer as the Music Director for Utah Symphony:

Last night’s program consisted of:

  • Igor Stravinsky - Fireworks, op. 4
  • Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky – Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D Major, op. 35
  • Igor Stravinsky - The Firebird

The violin concerto was performed by guest violinist Hilary Hahn:


Photo: (c) Glenn Ross

Before the concert, Maestro Fischer talked with patrons during a lecture. Among the things he discussed were:

  • A few of his  reasons for selecting Fireworks and The Firebird as his debut pieces,
  • His reasons for changing the seating locations of some of the sections of the orchestra,
  • His ideas for having the orchestra members employ different techniques in playing their instruments,
  • Thoughts on musical education and the role and responsibility of musicians to share their craft,
  • Working with young performers in the upcoming Salute to Youth concert, and
  • Observations about having Ms. Hahn as a musical guest and the way that she and the orchestra interacted.

The lecture was followed by a brief question-and-answer session.

Fireworks, though a brief piece, nevertheless makes a bold opening statement. Mr. Fischer guided the orchestra through the four-minute piece with passion while eliciting an amazing quality of sound from the musicians.

Next, Ms. Hahn took the stage for the Violin Concerto; I was quite taken by her performance. Her attention to detail – not only to her own performance, but to that of the orchestra’s playing, as well – was remarkable.  (Mr. Fischer mentioned this quality during his lecture: He noted that she would often stop playing to listen to how the orchestra was playing and make comments or ask questions… before resuming and making adjustments to how she played.) Her acumen was phenomenal. Having the opportunity to see her perform was truly a treat.  At the end of the piece, the audience gave a standing ovation through three (3) curtain calls. Ms Hahn performed a Bach partita for solo violin as an encore. This, too, was met with thunderous applause.

After intermission, Maestro Fischer and the symphony returned to perform The Firebird. If opening with Fireworks made a statement, then closing with The Firebird was the closing punctuation – an exclamation point! Mr. Fischer conducted with passion and verve — it was very easy to tell that he enjoyed conducting the piece. The orchestra, likewise, responded with a sound unlike any other Utah Symphony performance I have attended, from pianissimo so soft that you weren’t sure that instruments were actually playing to booming  fortissimo. The overall experience – and it was truly an experience – was both moving and amazing.

After being named Music Director of the Utah Symphony, Mr. Fischer had this to say:

A new Music Director should bring new energy and a new way of looking at things. I can bring a lot to the Utah Symphony, and they will bring a lot to me. As a team we can raise our level of performing to new heights.

If last night’s performance was any indication, Utah Symphony has found an excellent match in selecting Thierry Fischer.  I look forward to watching them grow and flourish under his direction.