Country

:

United States of America

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

 

Symphony

 

The Utah Symphony Orchestra is a classical music ensemble based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Founded in 1940, the orchestra has become one of the most respected and renowned orchestras in the United States. The Utah Symphony Orchestra was founded by Maurice Abravanel, a conductor who had previously worked with the Palestine Symphony Orchestra in Israel. Abravanel was born in Greece and had studied music in Europe before moving to the United States in 1936. He was appointed as the music director of the Utah Symphony Orchestra in 1947 and remained in that position until 1979. Under Abravanel's leadership, the Utah Symphony Orchestra became known for its innovative programming and high artistic standards. The orchestra performed a wide range of repertoire, from classical works by Mozart and Beethoven to contemporary pieces by living composers. Abravanel also championed the music of his fellow Jewish composers, including Gustav Mahler and Arnold Schoenberg. One of the highlights of the Utah Symphony Orchestra's early years was its performance at the opening ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. The orchestra played a program of American music, including works by Aaron Copland and John Williams, to an audience of millions around the world. In addition to its performances in Salt Lake City, the Utah Symphony Orchestra has toured extensively throughout the United States and internationally. The orchestra has performed in major concert halls in Europe, Asia, and South America, and has collaborated with some of the world's leading soloists and conductors. Over the years, the Utah Symphony Orchestra has won numerous awards and accolades for its performances and recordings. In 1966, the orchestra won a Grammy Award for its recording of Mahler's Symphony No. 7, conducted by Abravanel. The orchestra has also been recognized for its commitment to new music, commissioning and premiering works by composers such as Philip Glass and Augusta Read Thomas. In 1979, Abravanel retired from his position as music director of the Utah Symphony Orchestra. He was succeeded by Varujan Kojian, who served as music director until 1991. Kojian continued Abravanel's tradition of innovative programming and high artistic standards, and led the orchestra on several successful tours and recordings. In 1998, the Utah Symphony Orchestra appointed Keith Lockhart as its new music director. Lockhart had previously served as the associate conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and had gained a reputation as a dynamic and engaging conductor. Under Lockhart's leadership, the Utah Symphony Orchestra continued to thrive, performing a wide range of repertoire and collaborating with some of the world's leading soloists and conductors. One of the highlights of Lockhart's tenure with the Utah Symphony Orchestra was the orchestra's performance at the opening ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. The orchestra played a program of American music, including works by Aaron Copland and John Williams, to an audience of millions around the world. In 2009, the Utah Symphony Orchestra merged with the Utah Opera to form the Utah Symphony | Utah Opera. The new organization continued to perform a wide range of repertoire, from classical works to contemporary pieces, and continued to collaborate with some of the world's leading soloists and conductors.

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