Utah Native Mary Anne Huntsman to Perform Rachmaninoff at Utah Symphony Opening Gala

On September 13 at 7:30 p.m. at Abravanel Hall, Mary Anne Huntsman will headline the Utah Symphony's 76th Season Opening Gala with a performance of Rachmaninoff's legendary Piano Concerto No. 2 under the baton of Music Director Thierry Fischer. Also on the program is the Utah Symphony performing Beethoven's Symphony No. 5.

This celebrative, black tie gala will showcase one of Utah's world-renowned performers as well as provide support for the Utah Symphony. Tickets start at $21 for general admission, and can be purchased at utahsymphony.org/component/k2/1260-mary-anne-huntsman-performs-rach-2.

Mary Anne Huntsman, daughter of former Utah governor Jon Huntsman, has established herself as a world-renowned piano soloist, performing throughout Europe, North America, and Asia. Recent highlights include solo engagements with the Nice Philharmonic, concerts at the Xiamen University Music Center in Fujian, China, and intimate recitals at foreign embassies throughout Washington D.C. and Beijing. Since her debut in January 2014 at Carnegie Hall, Ms. Huntsman has performed extensively at some of the world's most prestigious concert halls.

Passionate about the transformative power of music and her Utah roots, Ms. Huntsman has also been an active proponent in Utah's cultural education scene, involved extensively in promoting the University of Utah's Piano Outreach program, which works to empower underprivileged children through exposure to musical education. Ms. Huntsman also serves on the teaching faculty of the Western Academy of Beijing and the Avenues School in New York City.

"I'm so looking forward to performing with the Utah Symphony again," says Ms. Huntsman. "I've performed with orchestras around the world but coming back to my hometown really excites me more than anything. This concert especially means a lot to me as I get to perform Rach 2 where I very first heard it played."

Ms. Huntsman feels a deep connection to Rachmaninoff's second piano concerto. She says, "This is a very special piece for me. I first heard it performed when I was around 7 years old with the Utah Symphony. The second movement even brought tears to my eyes. I went home that night telling my parents I was going to play this with the Symphony someday. This work has really shaped my life and one that will always have a special place in my heart. I find Rach 2 to be very emotional and powerful and truly one of the most beautiful things I've heard. It is the epitome of romanticism. I love all of the Rachmaninoff concertos but the second is my favorite."

Swiss conductor Thierry Fischer has served as the Music Director of the Utah Symphony Orchestra since 2009, and since then has worked tirelessly to revitalize the vibrancy and energy in the classical music community of Utah. During his time, Mr. Fischer has attracted leading young musicians to join the orchestra and top soloists to come to Utah, refreshed the programming, drawn consistently full houses, and galvanized community support.

With a long history of both performing and conducting at major orchestras around the world, Mr. Fischer has most recently served as Principal Conductor of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales from 2006-2012, undertaking many tours and appearing every season with them at the BBC Proms, returning in 2014. He also has a busy guest conducting career - highlights during the past few months have included his Boston Symphony Orchestra debut, as well as appearances with the Oslo Philharmonic, Rotterdam Philharmonic, BBC Symphony, London Sinfonietta, Salzburg Mozarteumorchester, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Detroit Symphony and Atlanta Symphony.

This black and white themed gala celebrates the opening of the Utah Symphony's 76th Season. Proceeds from this event will help fund the Utah Symphony and its world-renowned performances and educational programs.

This 2016-2017 O.C. Tanner Company Masterworks series will include three full composer cycles, including all five Beethoven piano concertos, and revered classics including Mozart's Requiem, Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 5, and Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3. Featured guest artists include a variety of national and international stars, including veterans like pianists Emanuel Ax and Andrey Gugnin as well as debuting musicians such as Juraj Valucha and Alexander Gavrylyuk.

RELATED EVENTS
This will be a black and white themed gala. Black & white attire is suggested. A cash bar is available in the lobby of Abravanel Hall post-concert. Tents will also be available on the plaza, including a VIP tent with buffet options. VIP Gala Packages and sponsorships are available including a pre-concert dinner, premium seating, and a post-concert celebration. For more information, contact vipevents@usuo.org or call 801.869.9011.

Utah Symphony Presents
Ready to Rach
76th Season Opening Gala

September 13 | 7:30 p.m.
Abravanel Hall, 123 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Thierry Fischer, Conductor
Mary Anne Huntsman, Piano
Utah Symphony Orchestra

PROGRAM
RACHMANINOFF Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Opus 67
This special event performance will be presented without intermission.

SPONSORS
Concert Sponsor: Zions Bank
Presenting Sponsor: Huntsman Corporation

Founded in 1940, the Utah Symphony is dedicated to offering orchestral performances that span the traditions of the past and challenge possibilities for our present and future audiences. Utah Symphony | Utah Opera, the orchestra's parent organization, reaches 450,000 residents in Utah and the Intermountain region, with educational outreach programs serving more than 155,000 students annually. The orchestra presents more than 70 performances each season in Abravanel Hall, participates in Utah Opera's four annual productions at the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre, in addition to numerous community concerts throughout Utah and the annual outdoor summer series - the Deer Valley Music Festival -in Park City, Utah. With its many subscription, education, and outreach concerts and tours, the Utah Symphony is one of the most engaged full-time orchestras in the nation.