Utah Symphony to Conclude Mendelssohn Symphony Cycle

Utah Symphony to Conclude
Mendelssohn Symphony Cycle

February 22 and 23 at 8 p.m. in Abravanel Hall.

The Utah Symphony and Music Director Thierry Fischer will conclude a season-long performance cycle of Felix Mendelssohn’s five symphonies with a concert featuring the first and last symphonies by the composer.

Along with Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 1 and Symphony No. 5 “Reformation,” the orchestra will feature Utah Symphony Principal Bass David Yavornitzky soloing on “Double Bass Concerto” by Hans Werner Henze, February 22 and 23 at 8 p.m. in Abravanel Hall.

Like many of the world’s most famous composers, Mendelssohn is considered by many to have been a child prodigy. His first symphony was completed at age 15, following prior completion of dozens of smaller symphonic works. He first presented Symphony No. 1 to his teacher and mentor, Carl Zelter, who was impressed by the young apprentice’s growth and promise.

Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 1 displays musical elements from composers like Bach, Mozart and Beethoven. These influences are reflected in the style, structure and counterpoint of the piece, and provide a foundation for which Mendelssohn later developed his own artistic voice.

While composing his Symphony No. 5 “Reformation,” Mendelssohn had the 300th anniversary of the Lutheran Augsburg Confession in mind. He worked through an illness to finish it before the commemoration. To his dismay, the commemoration never occurred due to political unrest in Europe, but the piece was still set to premiere in Berlin a few years later. Unfortunately, Mendelssohn this time withdrew the piece as he felt it wasn’t good enough, and the symphony wasn’t published until after his death. The final movement features the well-known hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is our God.”

The performance of modern composer Hans Werner Henze’s “Double Bass Concerto” will be a Utah Symphony premiere. Henze was a German composer who moved and composed in Italy after political disruption. His works are varied and display influences of neo-classicism, serialism, atonalism, and some jazz and rock.

Fischer and Toby Tolokan, Utah Symphony Vice President of Artistic Planning, will present a free pre-concert chat each night, one hour prior to the start of the performance on the orchestra level of Abravanel Hall.

Tickets 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.

David Yavornitzky, Utah Symphony Principal Bassist
Principal Bassist of the Utah Symphony since 1988, David Yavornitzky has performed as concerto soloist, participated in U.S. and International tours, and has collaborated with many of the world's finest conductors and guest artists. David also holds the position of Professor of Double Bass at the University of Utah, where he maintains an active teaching studio. Several of his students have won statewide and national solo double bass competitions. He is a tireless proponent of contemporary music, having had compositions written for him, as well as having given important premieres of contemporary works. As a conductor, David has led many diverse ensembles, including area youth, collegiate and professional orchestras, and he has conducted several Utah premieres of contemporary works with the Nova Chamber Music Series. In 200-10 David was appointed to the position of Cover Conductor for the Utah Symphony's educational programs.

David attended Baldwin-Wallace College and Conservatory, where he earned degrees in both musical performance and in theoretical physics. His double bass teachers include the late Anthony Knight of the Cleveland Orchestra and Edwin Barker, Principal Bass of the Boston Symphony. He is an alumnus of the Tanglewood Music Center Fellowship program and was awarded its C.D. Jackson prize for outstanding achievement.

Program

Felix Mendelssohn
     Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, op. 11
          I. Allegro di molto
          II. Andante
          III. Menuetto: Allegro molto
          IV. Allegro con fuoco

Hans Werner
     Henze Concerto per contrabbasso (1966)
          I. Moderato cantabile
          II. Vivace (Cadenzas HW Henze)
          III. Ciacona
               David Yavornitzky, Contrabass

Intermission

Felix Mendelssohn
     Symphony No. 5 in D Major, op. 107, "Reformation"
          I. Andante - Allegro con fuoco
          II. Allegro vivace
          III. Andante
          IV. Chorale: Andante con moto - Allegro vivace

Abravanel Hall
123 W. South Temple
Salt Lake City, Utah


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