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Critic's journal: Lockhart makes noise, not music
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The only completely wrong-headed interpretation I have heard Lockhart conduct was Beethoven's Eighth Symphony some years ago (I did not hear his Beethoven Second this summer, a performance that Mr. Reichel savaged). He has conducted fine performances of the First, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh of Beethoven's symphonies. He almost managed two bring off a completely successful performance of the Fourth symphony--no mean feat. While his first go at the Ninth some years ago failed to make a mark on me, I thought his recent performance was much improved, with a sweeping sense of architecture. His second go at the Third symphony saw similar improvements. I readily concede that guest conductor Stanislaw Skrowaczewski's interpretation of the Ninth some years ago was masterful compared to Lockhart's. However, even the greatest conductor's cannot do justice to the full range of Beethoven's symphonic genius. If Lockhart is only a good, versatile conductor, that is a far cry from noise.
As for 'You're wrong', there's no question Mr. Lockhart has done a lot of good for the symphony and for Utah in general, but I think you're short-changing the audience. Many of us would *still* go to the symphony if Mr. Lockhart would conduct the symphony with less bombast and more subtlety, as the music should be performed.
I'm sure Mr. Reichel appreciates "pops style music" as much as the next man, but this isn't the Utah Pops. Any child can enjoy burgers and fries, but it takes a little sophistication to appreciate more delicate (not to mention healthier) foods.
If Mr. Lockhart started serving up some of the finer foods that we know this symphony is capable of producing, rather than the steady diet of burgers and fries, I think he and the rest of the audience would discover they liked it (like we used to like it under Abravanel and many of Silverstein's performances).
I don't know if Ed Reichel is being too hard on Lockhart.
I do however know that too much fluff and 'promo-journalism' fills most local newpapers.
Hats off to Ed for risking the ire of those who feel that everything must always be called sweetness and light even when it is not actually pretty and bright.
A critic who doesn't call it as he sees it is wasting paper and ink.
By the way, I'm rather fond of Keith Lockhart.
For Alvaro - the reader who commented on the review reflecting the writing style - perhaps the obvious delivery was in relation to the obvious delivery of the "conductor" in question.
Mr. Lockhart seems to have learned the scores he conducts, but his technique is so limited that he is capable only of basic and "adequate" performances. Anything over and above that achieved is most likely due to the efforts of the orchestra: a fine performance despite the conductor.
Utah's next Music Director will very likely be considerably better at coaxing subtlety from the orchestra.
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Give the man a raise -- or at least a Christmas bonus, for crying out loud.