Lockhart's baton — Symphony conductor reflects on his decade of high notes

Lockhart will also conduct the Utah Opera Jan. 17-25, 2009, in Marc Blitzstein's "Regina," which premiered on Broadway in 1949, conducted by Maurice Abravanel.

Lockhart has a bit of history with "Regina."

"I assisted in a production of it 20 or 21 years ago," he said. "It's a great piece based on Lillian Hellman's 'Little Foxes' with fascinating music. But the real clincher to do it here was because Abravanel did the premiere."

Since this is Lockhart's last season, his concerts include a number of his favorite pieces. "The concerts I'm doing will be a mix of things. They'll include some of my favorites and also some things that are just fun to do."

Besides "The Miraculous Mandarin" and Bernstein's "Mass," Lockhart will conduct Antonin Dvorak's Cello Concerto, Richard Strauss' "Ein Heldenleben," Dmitri Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5 and Erich Wolfgang Korngold's Violin Concerto.

Joining Lockhart onstage will be some of his favored guests.

Among them are violinist Viviane Hagner (who joined the orchestra for several concerts on its European tour), pianist Olga Kern and cellist Alban Gerhard.

Lockhart believes this is the right time for him to step down as music director. "I've always said my intention was not to be there indefinitely. A music director's time is not infinite. And change is good for everyone. It will be good for me, and it will be good for the orchestra."

About two years ago, Lockhart approached then CEO of Utah Symphony/Utah Opera Anne Ewers about his position.

"My contract was up for renewal, and we talked about it," he said.

Both agreed this was a good time for Lockhart to consider leaving the Utah Symphony. After his meeting with Ewers, Lockhart received a new two-year contract, which was subsequently extended for an additional year.

There's a yardstick music directors go by, Lockhart said. "If you stay under 10 years, people wonder what happened to you. If you stay over 15, people wonder why you're still there. I think my time with the Utah Symphony is just right."

Lockhart believes he leaves behind a strong legacy of accomplishments with the Utah Symphony.

"This is a different orchestra from what it was 10 years ago. It's a better orchestra now. Of course, we have stronger and weaker concerts, but there has been a profound change in the day-to-day level of playing. The quality is much higher. Guest conductors who come here have commented on it."

There are quite a few things Lockhart points to when asked about his achievements here.

For one, he oversaw the hiring of a quarter of the current members of the symphony in the past 10 years. "We added some 20 to 22 new players in the last decade, and it's great to have that kind of relationship with the musicians."