Bell's brilliance highlights opener

UTAH SYMPHONY AND JOSHUA BELL, Abravanel Hall, Friday, additional performance tonight, 8 p.m. (355-2787).

Music director Keith Lockhart and the Utah Symphony opened its new season Friday evening with a well chosen romantic program of Beethoven, Bruch and Dvorak.

Assisting them — and in a break from tradition in not having a pianist joining them — was superstar violinist Joshua Bell. He mesmerized the audience with his poetic and lofty interpretation of Bruch's Violin Concerto in G minor, op. 26.

However, before the Bruch, Bell offered an elegantly executed reading of Mozart's Adagio in E major for Violin and Orchestra, K. 261. Bell brought out the charm of this captivating piece with his delicately phrased playing, allowing his violin to soar and take flight.

Bell is a remarkable performer with exquisite musicality that's matched only by his flawless technique. They combine to mold and craft his artistry, making Bell a true poet of his instrument.

As charming as Bell was with the Mozart, he was truly impressive with the Bruch. He captured the passion and lyricism of the work with his intense playing, infusing it with emotion and potency.

The opening movement of the concerto was filled with vitality and drive. Both Bell and Lockhart brought a vibrancy to the music that propelled it and gave it its momentum.

Sensitive playing on Bell's part turned the simple phrases of the second movement into an enchanting foray into its lyricism. It was poignant and touching with not an unwelcome hint of sentimentality that never got the upper hand.

The finale was exuberant and spirited, almost impetuous in the way Bell treated the material. The few (and minor) false notes that Bell played toward the end didn't distract from the high energy level that he brought to this movement.

After the traditional "Star-Spangled Banner" to open the season's first concert, Lockhart and the orchestra launched into Beethoven's "Leonore" Overture No. 1 in an impeccable performance that captured the drama and spirit of the music.

The evening ended with Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 in E minor ("From the New World"). In this work, Lockhart went for effect rather than subtlety. It came close several times to being bombastic but succeeded mainly in the many solos, most notably English horn player Holly Gornik's beautiful solo outing in the second movement.

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