Magnificent concert concludes 4-day festival

BONNEVILLE CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL, Val A. Browning Center, Weber State University

According to Viktor Uzur, there's always room for one more chamber music festival in Utah. He doesn't think adding to the already crowded field is a problem, and so he started the Bonneville Chamber Music Festival last year at Ogden's Weber State University, where he teaches cello. And judging by this year's offerings, Uzur knows what he's doing, and as long as he can maintain the high artistic quality that this year's festival has shown, then his festival is destined for a long (and welcome) run.

The six-day, four-concert festival concluded Saturday evening with a magnificent concert of music by Beethoven, Ravel and Brahms. That concert, as well as the three others, prove that Uzur's brainchild has the makings of a great addition to the Beehive State's festival scene. And wisely placing it in the spring, rather than during the summer months, insures that it won't have to compete for an audience with the already established festivals in Salt Lake City and Park City/Deer Valley.

The Bonneville Chamber Music Festival is well worth the drive to Ogden. This year's roster included the renowned young Russian-born violinist Dmitri Berlinsky, who was last seen locally a few years ago soloing with the Utah Symphony.

Joining Berlinsky for the final concert Saturday were Uzur, pianist Evgeny Rivkin, violinist Carmelo de los Santos and violist Spencer Martin. They joined forces for the final piece on the program, Brahms' Piano Quintet in F minor, op. 34, one of the composer's most captivating chamber works.

The five exhibited outstanding ensemble play and gave an impassioned reading that captured the intensity of emotions and dramatic force convincingly. Their playing was bold, energetic and powerful. Yet they also brought a poignancy, refined elegance and exquisite lyricism to their interpretation, which culminated in a gorgeously played slow movement. This, quite simply, was chamber music of the highest order,

Also on Saturday's program was a mesmerizing account of Ravel's jazzy and seldom played Violin Sonata, performed with virtuosic flair by Berlinsky and Rivkin.

Rivkin, who had a busy night, opened Saturday's concert with Beethoven's Cello Sonata in A major, op. 69, partnered by Uzur. The two acquitted themselves wonderfully, bringing out the lyricism of the work with their expressive playing.

While Saturday's concert was, without question, the high point of the festival, there were quite a few other noteworthy performances as well.