Imagine a concert featuring 10 of the most outstanding soloists to have appeared in the Utah Symphony-Deseret News "Salute to Youth" since its inception in 1960. Now imagine them backed by the Utah Symphony under its music director, Joseph Silverstein. And now imagine it being free.
Well, that's exactly what will happen Saturday, May 24, as the Deseret News marks the completion of its new corporate headquarters with an All-Star "Salute to Youth" Concert at 8 p.m. at Abravanel Hall.Featured will be Utah Symphony flutist Michael Vance, who first performed in a "Salute to Youth" in 1965, soloing in Vivaldi's Piccolo Concerto in C major, R. 443; former Presidential Scholar Cate Cannon Todd, whose last appearance was in 1996, performing the first movement of the Handel Harp Concerto; University of Michigan freshman Amy Brough, soloing in the first movement of the Mozart Oboe Concerto; violinist Alison Dalton, now a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, playing the last two movements of the Barber Violin Concerto; and three-time "Salute to Youth" soloist Eugene Watanabe, who recently took second prize in Canada's Esther Honens International Piano Competition, performing Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue."
In addition, soprano Celena Nelson will sing "The Wind Is a Lion" from Crawford Gates' pioneer-centennial musical "Promised Valley," and duo-pianists Susan Duehlmeier and Bonnie Gritton will be heard in a complete performance of Saint-Saens' "The Carnival of the Animals," with 1977 "Salute to Youth" soloist Barbara Ann Scowcroft conducting and 1969 soloist Walter B. Rudolph - who will emcee the gala evening - as narrator.
As a gift to its readers, the Deseret News is providing free tickets to the concert. Beginning Monday, May 12, they may be obtained at the Utah Symphony box office, currently located on the Abravanel Hall plaza.
The tickets will be available, four to a person, on a first-come, first-served basis and are general admission. For information, call 533-NOTE.