Fall Arts: Utah Symphony

The Utah Symphony’s 2024–25 season promises an exhilarating journey through classical music, highlighted by exceptional performances and world-renowned guest artists. The season underscores the remarkable talent of the 87 musicians who make up one of the country’s premier orchestras.

“Our orchestra is really one of the best in the country,” says Concertmaster Madeline Adkins. The musicians, many of whom come from across the nation and around the world, are deeply embedded in the local community, contributing not only through performances but also by nurturing young talent as educators.

Steve Brosvik, the Symphony/ Opera’s president and CEO, emphasizes that the orchestra is an integral part of Utah’s cultural identity.

“Our musicians have each prevailed through grueling auditions against hundreds of other musicians to achieve a spot on this team — and, collectively, they form the foundation of music and music education across our state,” says Brosvik. He likens the symphony to a “major league team,” contributing to Utah’s rich cultural landscape alongside its renowned national parks, skiing, and professional sports.

The 2024–25 season opens with a series of dynamic performances that will captivate audiences. Concertmaster Madeline Adkins will take on a dual role as both soloist and leader in a performance of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, which will be played without a conductor, transforming the piece into an intimate collaboration among the musicians.

“It’s something very special and unique, to have the whole orchestra moving and breathing together in this way,” says Adkins.

Another highlight is Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra, a challenging work that showcases the virtuosity of every section in the orchestra.

The season will also feature a highly anticipated one-night-only performance by the legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma in December, marking his first appearance in Salt Lake City since the 2002 Olympics.

“For him to come here to play with our musicians speaks to the caliber of talent and skill that we have here,” says Alex Purdy, principal tuba.

Other guest artists include violinist Augustin Hadelich, who will perform Brahms’ Violin Concerto under the baton of conductor Elim Chan, making her Utah Symphony debut, and pianist Benjamin Grosvenor, who will perform Britten’s Piano Concerto, a piece that brought him international acclaim at the 2011 BBC Proms.

The Utah Symphony has been selected to host the 2025 National Conference of the League of American Orchestras.

Music Director Emeritus Thierry Fischer will return to conduct two performances during the conference week, showcasing a program that highlights Utah’s cultural heritage and diversity, with South Korean-German violinist Clara-Jumi Kang as soloist in the Korngold Violin Concerto.

Thierry Fischer will also lead two backto-back Mahler weekends earlier in the season, featuring Mahler’s Fifth Symphony and his “Tragic” Symphony, delving into the composer’s emotional depth.

Meanwhile, the search for the symphony’s next music director continues, with David Robertson serving as the inaugural creative partner. Robertson’s programming promises to break new ground, including a festival celebrating orchestral music in films, with live performances of Charlie Chaplin’s Modern Times and a weekend dedicated to the iconic film scores of John Williams.

Robertson’s creative vision extends to performances of works by contemporary composers, including Steve Reich’s The Desert Music and Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, which will explore the primal forces of nature through music. “Working with David Robertson as our Creative Partner has been an incredible journey,” says Adkins. “His mind is amazing in the way he understands the structure of very complicated works.”

Diversity and inclusivity are central to the Utah Symphony’s programming this season. Nearly three-quarters of the 2024–25 Masterworks programs feature women or people of color as guest artists, conductors, or composers. Notable performances include works by Jessie Montgomery, Florence Price, and Angel Lam. The season will also continue the symphony’s tradition of celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with Celebración Sinfónica, featuring works by renowned Latin American composers.

The Utah Symphony Chorus will feature prominently in three Masterworks weekends, including performances of Mozart’s Requiem and Poulenc’s Gloria. The symphony will also present a multimedia performance of Holst’s The Planets, featuring NASA footage projected on a giant screen, adding a visual element to the symphonic experience.

In addition to the Masterworks Series, the Utah Symphony will continue to push the boundaries of traditional classical repertoire with innovative programming across its Pops Series, Films in Concert Series, Family Series, and Special Events. Highlights include Cirque Cinema, a Pops Series performance featuring acrobats, ballet dancers, and aerial artists set to film music, and REVOLUTION: The Music of The Beatles, which will bring the iconic band’s biggest hits to life with orchestral accompaniment.

The Films in Concert Series will feature live performances of scores to beloved films such as Jurassic Park, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, and Beauty and the Beast

“The Films in Concert allow us to be part of the action,” says Adkins. “It’s music you know and love—and it’s a relaxed and easy way to be introduced to the orchestra and our musicians.”

Throughout the holiday season, the Utah Symphony will bring the community together with cherished musical traditions, including the annual Messiah Sing-In and the Holiday Pops Extravaganza!. Family-friendly performances, such as Here Comes Santa Claus! and Halloween Spooktacular, will delight audiences of all ages, making classical music accessible and enjoyable for the whole family.

The Utah Symphony’s commitment to music education remains strong, with outreach programs that reach more than 130,000 students across the state annually. From in-school performances to sideby-side concerts with student musicians, the symphony continues to nurture the next generation of classical artists.

As the Utah Symphony embarks on its 2024–25 season, it invites audiences to experience the power and beauty of live orchestral music. Whether through traditional Masterworks performances, innovative multimedia presentations, or family-friendly concerts, the symphony remains a cornerstone of Utah’s vibrant cultural landscape.

Fall Schedule:

Jurassic Park in Concert

FILMS IN CONCERT SERIES

“Welcome…to Jurassic Park!” This action-packed adventure pits two kids and a few scientists against prehistoric predators in the ultimate battle for survival. Featuring visually stunning imagery, groundbreaking special effects, and their celebrated orchestra performing John Williams’ iconic score live, this epic showing is 65 million years in the making.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 13, 7PM, ABRAVANEL HALL

SATURDAY, SEPT. 14, 7PM, ABRAVANEL HALL

Cirque Cinema: Troupe Vertigo POPS

It’s a feast for your senses — the Symphony’s spectacular orchestra joins forces with the skilled aerial artists, contortionists, and ballet dancers of L.A.’s Troupe Vertigo. Don’t miss this dazzling show with visually stunning acrobatics and fantastic feats, all set to familiar film music performed by the symphony.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 20, 7:30PM, ABRAVANEL HALL

SATURDAY, SEPT. 21, 7:30PM, ABRAVANEL HALL

Celebración Sinfónica

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a program featuring the spirited sounds of Latin America and Spain, led by the vivacious conductor Enrico Lopez-Yañez and featuring Costa Rican trumpet soloist José Sibaja. Thursday, Sept. 26, 7:30pm, The Noorda at UVU

FRIDAY, SEPT. 27, 7:30PM, ABRAVANEL HALL

SATURDAY, SEPT. 28, 7:30PM, ABRAVANEL HALL

An American in Paris

MASTERWORKS SERIES

An evening of good ol’ fun with a night of music by some of the great American composers of the 20th century, including two works that made their mark on the film and theatre worlds — Gershwin’s An American in Paris (you can even hear the Parisian taxi horns) and Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story. You’ll be snapping your fingers to these luscious tunes regardless of whether you’re a Shark or a Jet. The program begins with the striking melodies of Barber’s Second Essay for Orchestra before Randall Goosby makes his highly anticipated return, performing Florence Price’s sweepingly amorous Violin Concerto No. 2 and her aptly named Adoration.

FRIDAY, OCT. 25, 7:30PM, ABRAVANEL HALL

SATURDAY, OCT. 26, 2024 | 05:30 PM | ABRAVANEL HALL

Halloween Spooktacular

SPECIAL EVENT

Gather ’round for a night of spine-tingling tales told through haunting melodies at their Halloween Spooktacular! From classic Halloween favorites to thrilling orchestral arrangements, this concert promises to be frightfully fun for the whole family, filled with spooky surprises and hair-raising harmonies. Grab your costumes and join them for a Halloween adventure you’ll never forget — because when they play on stage, the spirits come out to play, too.

TUESDAY, OCT. 29, 7PM, ABRAVANEL HALL

Orli Shaham Performs Mozart MASTERWORKS SERIES

Creative Partner David Robertson enjoys a dynamic connection with their orchestra (and their audiences), and this program brings a soloist with whom he also shares undeniable artistic chemistry — his wife and world-renowned pianist Orli Shaham. Listen as she brings Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 17 to life with extraordinary virtuosity, promising a sojourn into refined beauty and delicate expression. Paired with the lush romanticism of Brahms’ Serenade No. 1 and opening with a captivating Schoenberg work in honor of his 150th birthday, this evening will resonate long after the final note has faded away FINISHING TOUCHES REHEARSAL FRIDAY, NOV. 01, 10AM, ABRAVANEL HALL

FRIDAY, NOV. 01, 7:30PM, ABRAVANEL HALL

SATURDAY, NOV. 02, 7:30PM, ABRAVANEL HALL

Pictures at an Exhibition

MASTERWORKS SERIES

Step into a gallery of musical masterpieces with Pictures at an Exhibition. Composed in the wake of the loss of Mussorgsky’s dear friend — architect and artist Viktor Hartmann — this timeless work captures the essence of each of Hartmann’s pictures with breathtaking clarity and depth. With memorable favorites like the solemn “Old Castle,” the whimsical “Ballet of the Unhatched Chicks,” and the epic “The Great Gate of Kyiv,” each of the 10 unique portraits adds to a kaleidoscope of complex emotions and memories. Similarly, as poignant and powerful choral compositions by Fauré and Poulenc fill the hall on the first half of the program, you’ll feel the bittersweet beauty of remembrance and the transcendent power of music to express the inexpressible.

FRIDAY, NOV. 15, 7:30PM, ABRAVANEL HALL

SATURDAY, NOV. 16, 7:30PM, ABRAVANEL HALL

Beethoven’s “Eroica”

MASTERWORKS SERIES

From the majestic opening chords that command attention to the triumphant finale that resonates with resolve, every note of Beethoven’s “Eroica” Symphony takes you on an epic journey of grandeur and drama, with musical innovation that lives up to its “heroic” name. Experience the dynamic interplay of melodies, the bold harmonies, and the intricate orchestration of a Beethoven masterpiece. Feel the energy of Britten’s Piano Concerto, which the British composer debuted at the 1938 Proms in London. British pianist Benjamin Grosvenor, who rose to worldwide renown performing this work at the BBC Proms in 2011, brings his intense musicality to its four distinct movements.

THURSDAY, NOV. 21, 7:30PM, THE NOORDA, UVU

FRIDAY, NOV. 22, 7:30PM, ABRAVANEL HALL

SATURDAY, NOV. 23, 7:30PM, ABRAVANEL HALL

64th Annual Salute to Youth

SPECIAL EVENT

Experience extraordinary rising talent that you must see and hear to believe! Following a rigorous audition process, Utah’s most hardworking young musicians have the one-in-a-lifetime chance to play a concerto movement alongside the Utah Symphony, joining the ranks of the hundreds of Salute to Youth soloists that have come before them.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 27, 5:30PM ABRAVANEL HALL

Messiah Sing-In

SPECIAL EVENT

Let the holiday music begin on Thanksgiving weekend with this cherished tradition (it’s one that some of their audience members have been attending for 35 years!). Composed by Handel in 1741, the oratorio Messiah draws inspiration from both the Old and New Testaments, detailing the life of Christ in three parts. With the Utah Symphony Chorus, sing along with the beloved choral numbers of this famous composition—including the “Hallelujah” Chorus!—in an evening of joy and community. A performance unlike any other, the Messiah Sing-In is ranked as one of the “Top 100 Things to Do in Salt Lake City.”

SATURDAY, NOV. 30, 7:30PM, ABRAVANEL HALL

SUNDAY, DEC. 01, 7:30PM, ABRAVANEL HALL

Celtic Woman

SPECIAL EVENT

This holiday season, Celtic Woman returns, adding their angelic harmonies to the thrilling live sound of the symphony in an intimate concert setting. From delicate Gaelic carols to stunning arrangements of classics like “Silent Night,” Celtic Woman has a wealth of seasonal music to gladden your heart. With crystalline voices, Irish fiddling, magnificent brass fanfare, Irish harp, and the proud call of the bagpipes, join them for one of their most popular performances of the year.

TUESDAY, DEC. 03, 7:30PM, ABRAVANEL HALL

Tchaikovsky’s The Tempest

MASTERWORKS SERIES

Centered around the allure of the sea, this program is as captivating as a siren’s song. Prepare to be swept away by the evocative tone poem The Tempest, Tchaikovsky’s symphonic narration of Shakespeare’s play, and the ocean’s tumultuous beauty. Then, allow the melodies of Shostakovich’s mesmerizing Second Piano Concerto, celebrated particularly for its breathtaking second movement, to wash over you. They set sail through Britten’s Four Sea Interludes from the opera Peter Grimes and conclude with a suite from Korngold’s majestic score for The Sea Hawk — written specifically for the swashbuckling cinematic adventure and resonating with the depths of the ocean’s mysteries.

FINISHING TOUCHES REHEARSAL FRIDAY, DEC. 06, 10AM, ABRAVANEL HALL

FRIDAY, DEC. 06, 7:30PM, ABRAVANEL HALL

SATURDAY, DEC. 07, 5:30PM, ABRAVANEL HALL

An Evening with Yo-Yo Ma SPECIAL EVENT

With 19 Grammy Awards to his name, classical music’s most celebrated star for more than four decades comes to Salt Lake City for a one-night-only performance. Yo-Yo Ma shares Dvořák’s divine Cello Concerto, bringing his unparalleled talent and deep desire to build community and reinforce their humanity through music. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness the cellist who is adored around the world — tickets will sell out fast.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 11, 7:30PM, ABRAVANEL HALL

Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons MASTERWORKS SERIES

For the first time in 10 years (you could even say 40 seasons), Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, one of the original odes to nature, returns to Abravanel Hall. From the ethereal awakening of spring to the serene stillness of winter, their musicians, led by Concertmaster and soloist Madeline Adkins, come together to illustrate nature’s ever-changing beauty.

Along with Angel Lam’s new work Please let there be a paradise… and Glazunov’s music from the ballet The Seasons, this concert will transport you through landscapes teeming with life, echoing the gentle whisper of zephyrs, the joyful chirping of birds, and the quiet majesty of falling snow.

FRIDAY, DEC. 13 & 14, 7:30PM, ABRAVANEL HALL

Holiday Pops

Extravaganza POPS

Step into a winter wonderland at Maurice Abravanel Hall! The highly-anticipated return of this popular program celebrates the magic of the season with cherished holiday favorites, delightful surprises, and, of course, Santa himself. Make it a new tradition.

FRIDAY, DEC. 20&21, 7:30PM, ABRAVANEL HALL

More information at utahsymphony.org