The concert review of Jon Ringwood that appeared in the Deseret News, March 2, was sad indeed. I was very pleased with the music I heard that Thursday evening in Abravanel Hall. I went to hear beautiful music to be performed by the Utah Chamber Artists with Grant Johannesen as their guest artist. I did not expect an extravaganza by the Utah Symphony and the Tabernacle Choir.
I was surprised at the lack of sensitivity when our critic wrote "whether it was the German or the pace or simply the selections, that part of the evening was less successful." Mr. Ringwood, it took a great deal of effort to learn the German so that the music could be performed as it was originally written. It would appear that Mr. Ringwood was disappointed that the selections did not have more "glitz" and action.While recently touring Israel as guests of the Israel Chamber Symphony, the Utah Chamber Artists were well received by enthusiastic audiences and rave reviews. I happened to be visiting with the leading musical critic of Israel and he told me that in his 28 years in Israel, that the Utah Chamber Artists were one of the most sensitive and beautiful musical groups he had heard.
I was one of many who were thrilled by the evening of beautiful chamber music last Thursday evening in Abravanel Hall. Good work, Barlow Bradford and the Utah Chamber Artists. You deserve to be recognized for your efforts to perform the music of the masters with such sensitivity, interpretation and performance skills.
Michael K. Kirkpatrick
Salt Lake City