In fairness to the Utah Chamber Artists, someone must raise objection to the Deseret News' review of their recent concert in Abravanel Hall.
Even a no-show ticket-holder could have conjectured that Mr. Johannesen "did a truly wonderful job." How revealing. Your reviewer seemed totally incapable of saying what was so special about this renowned pianist's playing, so he described it as "effortless." Not a word about style, concept, tempi, dynamics or phrasing. Ignoring the solid information about the concerto and choral works in professor Thomas L. Durham's illuminating program notes, he supposed that the soloist gratuitously contributed a "playful element" to the principal offering, so that both players and patrons might have "fun." It is not surprising that your writer failed to grasp the richness and beauty of the Brahms works, so seldom heard in this city.To report that the orchestral accompaniment wandered without fulfillment is simply airing one man's opinion. A virtuoso pianist himself, Mr. Bradford would not tolerate offering an inadequate accompaniment to an artist of Mr. Johannesen's stature.
It was a disservice to your readers to publish the complaints of this staff writer.
G. William Richards
Salt Lake City