FUMIAKI MIURA TO PLAY WITH UTAH SYMPHONY THIS WEEKEND

Fumiaki Miura (Photo: Dan Hannen)

The young Japanese violinist Fumiaki Miura, who made his United States debut with the Utah Symphony in 2012, returns to Utah this weekend, playing Camille Saint-Saëns’ Concerto No. 3 in B minor, a work dedicated to and premiered by Pablo de Sarasate.

Under the direction of Thierry Fischer the orchestra will also play two works by Antonín Dvorák: the incidental overture My Home and the Symphony No. 7 in D minor.

There will be a performance today at 7:30 p.m. in de Jong Concert Hall in the Harris Fine Arts Building at Brigham Young University. Tickets are $20 for reserved seating, $17 for seniors and BYU alumni and $13 for students with I.D. For reservations call 801-422-4322 or log on to www.byuarts.com.

Friday and Saturday Miura and the orchestra will play in Abravanel Hall. The concerts begin at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $15-$69 and can be purchased by calling 801-355-2787 or 888-451-2787 or by logging on to www.utahsymphony.org. Tickets are $5 higher when purchased on the day of the performance.

Below is an interview that Reichel Recommends conducted with Miura via email.

RR: You made an impressive debut with the Utah Symphony two years ago. How was the experience for you?

FM: Absolutely amazing. I loved the orchestra and Abravanel Hall.

RR: For your upcoming appearance with the Utah Symphony you’ll be playing Saint-Saëns’ Third Concerto. What appeals to you in this work? Is it challenging for the violinist?

FM: It is a challenging piece for the violinist, but for me one of the best pieces by Saint-Saëns. It is simply beautiful.

RR: The last time you were here you played Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy. How would you compare that work to the Saint-Saëns concerto?

FM: Totally different. I would say Bruch is basically more romantic. But Saint-Saëns makes more dramatic contrast.  I love both of them.

RR: Since you made your debut with the Utah Symphony in 2012 — which was also your United States debut — have you played with other American orchestras?

FM: Yes, after my debut with Utah Symphony, I played with San Diego Symphony, Des Moines Symphony, New Mexico Philharmonic and Eugene Symphony.

RR: What other orchestras have you played with in the past two years outside of the U.S.?

FM: I played with some Japanese orchestras and also in Europe, with Stuttgart Radio Symphony, NDR Hamburg Orchestra, Warsaw Philharmonic, Lausanne Chamber, etc.

RR: Have you appeared at any music festivals?

FM: Yes, last year, I played a recital at Ravinia Festival in Chicago.

RR: Before debuting with the Utah Symphony two years ago did you know Thierry Fischer in Japan?

FM: Not in person, but of course I knew him because he was a music director of Nagoya Philharmonic .

RR: You won first prize at the Hannover competition in 2009. Have you entered any other competitions since then?

FM: No I have not.  Basically, I don’t like competitions. But the Hannover was definitely my start of playing concerts.

RR: Your parents are violinists. Did they want you to become a violinist, too?

FM: I don’t think so. My parents never forced me to. I’m so lucky !

RR: Who are some of the violinists that you admire?

FM:  I love old violinists: Milstein, Heifetz, Szeryng, etc. And now in our time, Pinchas Zukerman and Julian Rachlin.

RR: You’ve had quite a lot of success so far in your career, and you’re still very young. What are some of the things you want to accomplish as an artist?

FM: I will continue to work on marvelous concertos, but also more chamber music. I’m lucky enough to have so many wonderful musical friends, so one day I want to make a music festival.

WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK IN DANCE (NOV. 19-25, 2014)

(Be sure to visit our monthly dance calendar by clicking on “Events Calendar.”)

WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY, Orchesis Dance Theatre Fundraiser, November 20, 5:30 p.m., Allred Theater, Browning Center for the Performing Arts, $25, 800-978-8457, www.weberstatetickets.com.

UNIVERSITY OF UTAH, Utah Ballet, November 20-22, 2 p.m., 5:30 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. performances, Hayes Christensen Theatre, Marriott Center for Dance, $12 general, $8 students, U. students free with ID, 801-581-7100, www.kingtix.com.

UTAH VALLEY UNIVERSITY, “Pointe to Pointe,” Repertory Ballet Ensemble, Nichole Ortega and Mark Borchelt, artistic directors, November 20-22, 7:30 p.m., Ragan Theatre, $12 general, $8 students, 801-863-7529, or box office located in Noorda Theatre, or Campus Connection, www.uvu.edu/arts.

BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY, Senior Dance Showcase, a concert of diverse dance works highlighting the artistry and stylistic voices of the graduating seniors, November 21-22, 7:30 p.m., Dance Studio Theatre, Richards Building, $6 general, 801-422-4322, www.byuarts.com.

WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY, Orchesis Dance Theatre, November 21-22, 7:30 p.m., Allred Theater, Browning Center for the Performing Arts, $10-$12, 800-978-8457, www.weberstatetickets.com.

REPERTORY DANCE THEATRE, “The Mitch Show,” is a fast-paced evening of comic films and audience-participation pieces by Mitchell Rose, a former choreographer and performance artist, now prize-winning filmmaker, Mitch’s offbeat films have won 61 festival awards and are screened across the globe, from the Getty Museum to the CBS JumboVision in Times Square, maniacally funny, often poignant and always surprising, The Mitch Show appeals equally to fans of film, theater, dance, and comedy. November 21-22, 11 a.m., Jeanné Wagner Theatre, Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, $10 general, 801-355-2787, www.arttix.org, or www.rdtutah.org.

REPERTORY DANCE THEATRE, “Surprise Packages,” RDT’s famed children’s show by Tim Hadel will delight audiences of all ages, enjoy rhythms, games, puzzles and hijinks as dancers build mazes and towers with cardboard boxes, show their ballroom dance skills and puzzle over a Rubik’s cube, November 22, 11 a.m., Jeanné Wagner Theatre, Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, $10 general, $40 family pass (5 tickets), 801-355-2787, www.arttix.org, or www.rdtutah.org.