Utah Symphony to Perform Dvorak, 11/21-22

Maestro Thierry Fischer leads the Utah Symphony through a double dose of Antonín Dvorák on Nov. 21 and 22 at 8 p.m. at Abravanel Hall with performances of "My Home" and Symphony No. 7. Guest violinist Fumiaki Miura, a rising star from Japan who made his U.S. debut with Utah Symphony in 2012, will play Camille Saint-Saëns' Violin Concerto No. 3. Tickets, priced from $18 to $69 ($10 for students), are available for purchase through www.utahsymphony.org or by calling (801) 355-2787.

Inspired by Slavic folk music, Dvorák, a Czech composer, wrote "My Home" as part of the background music for a play by Czech playwright, Frantisek Ferdinand Samberk. After the founding of Czechoslovakia in 1918, this song became the national anthem of the new nation, and it remains the anthem of the Czech Republic today.

Dvorák's Symphony No. 7, which is considered by many to be Dvo?ák's greatest symphony in terms of structure and ambition, was inspired during one of Dvorák's walks through the train station. As Dvorák reported later, "the first subject of my new symphony flashed into my mind upon the arrival of the festive train bringing our countrymen from Pest." This song is also a patriotic anthem to the Czech people and has reflected the political struggles of the nation throughout its history.

Says Principal Flutist Mercedes Smith: "The 7th symphony is truly Dvorak's crowning symphonic achievement. Its thematic complexity, intricate writing, and soaring lyricism make it both a challenge and a joy to perform. I especially love performing the second movement as Dvorak's melodic writing really puts the flutist's ability to sing through the instrument on display."

Also on the program is a performance of Camille Saint-Saëns' Violin Concerto No. 3 with soloist Fumiaki Miura. Mr. Miura has been playing violin since he was three years old. Born in Japan in 1993, Miura enjoys an international career. He was the First Prize Winner of the International Joseph Joachim Violin-Competition in 2009, where he also won Music Critics' Prize and the Audience Prize. This is Miura's second performance with the Utah Symphony: he made his U.S. debut performing Max Bruch's "Scottish Fantasy for Violin and Orchestra" in the 2012/2013 season with Thierry Fischer conducting.

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