Utah Symphony's Final 2013-14 Season Masterworks Concert Set for 5/23-24

Maestro Thierry Fischer conducts the Utah Symphony in the final Masterworks concert of the season at Abravanel Hall on May 23-24, 2014 at 8 PM.

The series concludes appropriately with the last master work by a master composer. "Symphonic Dances" was Sergei Rachmaninoff's last completed piece, and it is a stunning virtuoso showpiece for orchestra. The work was dedicated to Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra and, though not an overwhelming success at the premiere, "Symphonic Dances" is regularly and quite reasonably held up as Rachmaninoff's finest masterpiece. "Symphonic Dances" was last performed by the Utah Symphony as part of its European Tour in 2005 with Keith Lockhart on the podium.

Also on the program are the finale of the Utah Symphony's Carl Nielsen Symphony Cycle with the Utah Symphony premiere of Symphony No. 6-the aptly named "Simple Symphony"-and Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's "Variations on a Rococo Theme" for cello and orchestra.

Joining the Utah Symphony to play the Tchaikovsky is Julliard graduate Matthew Zalkind, a Utah native who was praised for his "impressive refinement, eloquent phrasing, and singing tone" by "The New York Times". Zalkind comes from Utah Symphony pedigree - his mother is Associate Principal Viola Roberta Zalkind, and his father is Principal Trombone Larry Zalkind. Much is demanded of the soloist in "Variations on a RococoTheme," but the rewards are many. The virtuosity and beauty of the piece co-exist in perfect accord.

The Utah Symphony's Finishing Touches Series returns with a glimpse inside an open rehearsal on Friday, May 23, 2014 at 10 AM. These events are a behind-the-scenes look at the orchestra during the final rehearsals. They provide a rare insight into the diligence and dedication that goes into each performance.

Single tickets for the performance start at $18 and can be purchased by phone at (801) 355-2787, in person at the Abravanel Hall ticket office (123 W. South Temple) or online by visiting www.utahsymphony.org. Youth and patrons 30 or younger can purchase $10 tickets for this performance through the USUO Upbeat program. Season subscribers can purchase discounted tickets by contacting (801) 533-6683. Those desiring group discounts should call (801) 869-9046. All ticket prices are subject to change and availability, and will increase $5 when purchased on the day of the performance.