From Deseret News archives:
Symphony conductor sparkles
Barbara Scowcroft has the musical Midas touch. It seems that whatever she does as a violinist or conductor sparkles.
This was clearly brought home once again this past Saturday, when Scowcroft made her conducting debut with the Salt Lake Symphony the first woman, incidentally, to lead the orchestra in its 30-year history.
Scowcroft, a member of the Utah Symphony's first violin section, has been expanding her conducting engagements in recent years. Besides the Utah Youth Symphony, which she has directed since 1986, she is also a guest conductor at the American Festival for the Arts in Houston, Texas.
Scowcroft demonstrated her conducting talents to the fullest. Exuding a confidence on the podium that translated into dynamic leadership and compelling interpretive skills, she brought enthusiasm, vitality, and, above all, refined musicianship to her readings.
Both elements blend admirably in the work. Scowcroft captured the breadth and intensity, the almost operatic drama and the unpretentious lyricism of the symphony. Her interpretation was nuanced, insightful, compelling and infused with an electrifying energy.
The Salt Lake Symphony has never played better than it did in the Schubert.
Occasionally the brass section overpowered the rest of the orchestra but not enough to distract from the overall impact of Scowcroft's direction.
The symphony's principal flute, Laurel Ann Maurer, was Saturday's soloist, playing Dana Paul Perna's "songe de voix perdues" ("dream of the forgotten voices"), for flute and strings, in its American premiere. Perna has conjured up some resplendent sonorities that knowingly evoke impressionism. Maurer's beautiful tone and poetic playing brought a textured eloquence to the piece to Perna's overwhelmingly expressive and evocative piece.
E-mail: ereichel@desnews.com
Comments
- NASA sets Monday shuttle launch 11:53 a.m.
- WVC robberies investigated 11:41 a.m.
- Funeral today for Utah soldier 11:16 a.m.
- Vaccination clinic set in St. George 11:15 a.m.
- $47B in suspect Medicare claims 11:11 a.m.
- 3 dead in Reno helicopter crash 11:02 a.m.
- Galaxy headed to MLS Cup 10:45 a.m.
- Veteran climber dies in Himalayas 10:36 a.m.
- Slovakia beats U.S. 1-0 10:30 a.m.
- Suicide attack kills 11 in Pakistan 10:28 a.m.
- Attack meant to kill apostle
- Williams leaves, won't play tonight
- Short-handed Jazz fly past Sixers
- Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
- Man killed during 3rd I-15 crash
- Bench proves fruitful for Y.
- D-Will home for daughter
- Trial begins in toddler death
- Born of water and the spirit
- Utes excited for 'dream' game
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
349 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
199 - Senators want food tax restored
162 - Will state consider gay rights law?
145 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
129 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
113 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
105 - Celtics crush Jazz
104 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
103
Singer Thurl "Big T" Bailey, formerly of the Utah Jazz, will perform a...
The reason that won't be the case is because, unlike your teams line, our...
This freedom of speech issue is enough to make me want to remain as a private...
What is everyone talking about? Good luck next game? I could have sworn I...
yeah, TV might be rude. but springville isn't smart for trying to compare...
Thanks, Robinson, for a laugh-out-loud funny article which makes a point then...
WAC 1-0 vs the MWC this year, next week will be 2-0 for the WAC when Utah...
"Three Rivers" is an excellent program. I hope everyone will tune in!
A real man! What a pro that Mathis is! He's great! I thought Matthews played...
I wouldn't call Brown "big". Tall, maybe, but he's maybe the skinniest high...
Tobacco prevention saves lives and money.



You can be the first to comment on this story.