Amazing violin solo highlights symphony performance

RALPH MATSON, VIOLIN, UTAH SYMPHONY, St. Mary's Church, Park City, Wednesday

Louis Spohr is one of the early 19th century composers one doesn't hear in the concert hall very often today, nor does one find an abundance of recordings. However, he was one of the more prolific and celebrated composers of the period. His misfortune was that he was relegated to the shadows of his contemporaries — Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Schumann being among the most prominent. And as a violinist of considerable virtuosity, he was never able to come into his own, owing to the fact that Paganini at the same time was sweeping Europe off its feet with his violinistic pyrotechnics. Despite all this, Spohr wrote one of the most melodic violin concertos to come out of the 19th century, the Concerto No. 8 in A minor, op. 47.

This concerto, nicknamed "Gesangsszene", written in one continuous movement, is as its subtitle implies—an extended operatic vocal scene with the solo violin as the singer. It is a gorgeously crafted work of immense melodic worth and considerable virtuosity, though not in Paganini's extroverted style.

The concerto was on the program Wednesday to close out the Utah Symphony's chamber orchestra series in St. Mary's Catholic Church. Utah Symphony concertmaster Ralph Matson was the soloist, and on the podium was guest conductor James Gaffigan, the assistant conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra and the associate conductor of the San Francisco Symphony.

Matson is a wonderful musician, impressive as the symphony's concertmaster for more than two decades and no less remarkable as a concert soloist. He possesses amazing technique, stunning musicality and fabulous artistry, all of which was amply displayed Wednesday evening.

It's always a pleasure seeing Matson step forward and assume the soloist's spotlight. And hearing him make his instrument sing is a treat for the ears.

Matson captured the lyricism of the work wonderfully. And in the final section of the concerto, he showed off his tehcnical skills to the fullest. However, his playing wasn't just all show—there was real substance to his playing as well as depth and insight. It was, in short, quite an amazing performance that rightly thrilled the audience.