This weekend, the Utah Symphony delighted us with Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 in C minor. It is probably the most well-known piece of music in all of classical musicdom. All you have to do is chant "Du du du dun!" and most people in the Western World can tell you it's name. This is my favorite Beethoven symphony, but not for the famous opening phrase. I love the final movement. It's rousing; it's inspiring. I also played it every year while I was in a district-wide youth symphony in high school. It is just fun to play. There is no break between the third and fourth movements, and both movements are Allegro, so it's suddenly there in all of it's glory before you know what's happened to you. The entire symphony is only 31 minutes long, so it was over before I was ready for it to be du du du done!
It was an interesting concert. Also on the program were some beautiful Fauré pieces and a new commission by Michael Jarrell. I must admit that I am not a big fan of atonal music. I love a good melody and interesting chord structure. And I like music to make sense, so I was not all that thrilled with the Jarrell piece. But, hey, I didn't ask him to write it, and I don't get to pick the symphony's playlist. The cellist, Jean-Guihen Queyras, played beautifully, especially on the final Fauré piece.
Mom and Dad M and Game Boy came with us. It was Game Boy's first live symphony performance, but not his first time to Abravanel Hall. He said that he's not opposed to coming with us again. Not a ringing endorsement, but also not a complete failure.
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