Utah Arts Review – Fischer, Utah Symphony jazz it up with Gershwin, Ravel and Schubert

by Edward Reichel

If there truly is a popular classical music program, that doesn’t manage to beat old warhorses to death, then this weekend’s Utah Symphony offering surely is it.

It’s certainly difficult not to like a concert featuring works by George Gershwin, Maurice Ravel and Franz Schubert, especially when played as magnificently as they were by the orchestra under Thierry Fischer Friday night at Abravanel Hall. For all their familiarity, none of the three works this weekend have been programmed that frequently, so it was a special treat to have them on the same bill.

The evening opened with An American in Paris, and Fischer’s finely crafted interpretation brought Gershwin’s delightful tone poem vividly to life. One could almost see the unnamed American of the title overwhelmed by the sights and sounds of Paris, eventually being captivated by some silky smooth jazz emanating from a cafe, before venturing out into the city once again.

Read on at utahartsreview.com