UTAH SYMPHONY, Abravanel Hall, May 1; second performance 8 p.m. May 2, tickets at 801-355-2787, 888-451-2787 or www.utahsymphony.org 

The concert was billed as “Saint-Saëns Organ Symphony” and certainly that was the highlight of the evening, but the two pieces preceding it were well programmed, beautifully performed and set a lively atmosphere for a well rounded, finely tuned and exhilarating evening.

Starting with Mussorgsky’s A Night on Bald Mountain, guest conductor Kazuki Yamada’s command of the orchestra was evidenced as he effortlessly led the orchestra through the moods that define the Witches’ Sabbath, the story behind this tone poem. The grand pauses followed by full blown orchestral statements were punctuated with perfection.  Bravo to the clarinetist whose ethereal solo at the end of the piece transported the listeners from Abravenal Hall to another world.

The melody that opened Glazunov’s Symphony No. 5, played in octaves by the string section, was breathtaking. Each section of the orchestra displayed its virtuosity as the piece unfolded, making its way through the four movements with crisp woodwind passages, bold brass statements, impeccable percussion and more gorgeous sonority from the strings.

The popularity of Richard Elliott, principal organist of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, was clear as he took his place at the organ for Saint-Saëns’ Symphony No. 3 and was greeted by a passionate round of applause.

Known as the “Organ Symphony” (the composer called it a Symphony with Organ) the performance was exquisite from start to finish.  Again, Yamada displayed his brilliance with the full-blown orchestration that included piano four hands and a percussion section that required several players.

The subtleties of the piece were perfectly contrasted by the full-on dramatic statements.  Saint-Saëns was a genius of orchestration.  The delicate pianissimo entrance of the organ created a river of calm through the multi-textured architecture of sound.  Elliott’s command of the piece was exceptional.  Each section of the orchestra displayed its brilliance, knowing when to pull back, knowing when to dig in.

This was Yamada’s United States debut.  Audiences will look forward to more appearances by the exceptional, energetic maestro.