Morales' debut with symphony stunning

SALT LAKE SYMPHONY, Libby Gardner Concert Hall, Saturday

Since moving to Salt Lake City a couple of years ago, cellist Jesus Morales has appeared frequently in recitals and concerts locally, especially at the Park City and Salt Lake City Music Festival. He also subs regularly with the Utah Symphony.

To hear him play is to know exactly why Morales is in demand. He is a fabulously talented artist who possesses remarkable musicality and expressiveness. And his technique is no less extraordinary. Morales is a wonderfully well-rounded musician, equally at home in chamber music and in the concerto repertoire.

Saturday in Libby Gardner Concert Hall, Morales made his debut with the Salt Lake Symphony under music director Robert Baldwin in Dvorak's B minor Concerto.

What was noteworthy about Morales' performance was that he played the concerto as if he owned it. The work is a natural fit for the young Puerto Rican-born cellist. Morales made his instrument sing as he brought out the impassioned romantic coloration of the music.

Morales captured the driven intensity of the opening movement and the spirited boldness of the finale wonderfully. But as stunning as his playing was in these two movements, he left his mark in particular in the Adagio. Here, Morales' radiant expressiveness lent itself wonderfully in his heartfelt account, which was eloquent and exquisitely crafted.

Baldwin tried to achieve a fine balance between the soloist and the orchestra. And for the most part, he succeeded. Where he didn't, one can blame Libby Gardner's acoustics, which aren't friendly to large ensembles. Fortunately, however, the hall's shortcomings didn't in the least detract from Morales' gorgeous playing.

The concert opened with Beethoven's "Leonore" Overture No. 3. Baldwin elicited a dynamic performance from the orchestra, which played with articulate precision and crispness. The French horn section, which plays a prominent role in the work, was especially on the mark.

There was one other overture on Saturday's program — Berlioz's "Les Francs-juges." Baldwin gave a lucid reading that forcefully captured the music's drama and expressiveness. And once again, the orchestra played with wonderful conviction and crisp execution.

There was one sad note to the concert. Laurel Ann Maurer — the symphony's principal flute for 12 years — has stepped down from her position and will be leaving the organization to relocate with her family to Vermont. She was recognized for her time with the symphony by colleague and board member Margaret Smith.

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E-mail: ereichel@desnews.com