As one who frequently travels to conduct orchestras throughout the world, Utah Symphony principal guest-conductor Pavel Kogan seems most enthusiastic about his upcoming appearance in Salt Lake City.
"I've already spent three years as a principal guest conductor with the Utah Symphony, and every time I come down to Salt Lake, it's really a great pleasure," Kogan said during a telephone interview from Moscow. "I really love the audience. I would like to express my great feelings to the Utah Symphony Orchestra. I always have a great time conducting them."
Kogan will be conducting the Utah Symphony for a special concert featuring French pianist Jean-Efflam Bavouzet on Wednesday, April 4, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased through ArtTix at 355-ARTS (2787) or 1-888-451-ARTS and at the ArtTix outlets at Abravanel Hall or the Capitol Theatre or online at ( www.utahsymp.org).
Although Ilya Itin was originally scheduled as the featured pianist, he had to cancel due to illness and will be replaced by Bavouzet.
Kogan said his enthusiasm for this concert isn't limited to the venue. "The first half of the program we will be Mozart's Symphony No. 39. The Mozart Symphony is one of my favorites. I especially love this one; of all his symphonies, it's really his greatest."
Then the symphony will do Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 3. "This Prokofiev concerto is one of his best among his five. It is a piece that shows very well the mastery of the soloist. From the moment that Prokofiev wrote this piece, it became very popular among all the performers all over the world — even through our time."
Kogan said the program will finish with the second suite from Ravel's ballet, "Daphne and Chloe." "This is also one of the best pieces that Ravel wrote in his life. It shows the orchestra very well. There are a lot of beautiful solos for different instruments. It's extremely coloristic and virtuoso. The dynamic range, articulation — everything is there."
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