This evening I had the opportunity to attend a very moving and exhilirating concert by the Utah Symphony with my dad and 5th cousin Maja Jantolakova (I hope I spelled that correctly) who has been in the US visiting for the past several weeks.

The orchestra was conducted by Maestro Stanislaw Skrowaczewski.  At first, they played an extremely powerful and complicated piece: Grosse Fuge (Grand Fuge).  It was awesome!  I'm going to have to listen to it in its original, intended form - for a string quartet, but it was impressive in symphonic form.

Following a brief intermission the orchestra and choir came out and collectively performed Beethoven's Symphony No. 9.  The 9th has always been my favorite of Beethoven's symphonies (followed closely by the 7th, 5th, and 3rd).  Was an awesome performance!

One aspect of tonight's events that provided a particularly nice touch was a brief, 30 minute talk preceding the performance with Maestro Skrowaczewski.  He along with the host of the meeting (I don't recall his name) discussed the two pieces, particularly the Grosse Fuge.  Apparently this piece is beyond complicated.  It has been tagged as 'unplayable' and an impossible piece.  This was the first time it's ever been performed in Utah by the Utah Symphony, so that was a particular treat.  In addition to being an enjoyable evening at Abravanel Hall, it was enlightening and educational.

I'm so glad I had the chance to go tonight and be with Maja and my dad.