FUMIAKI MIURA PLAYS WITH POLISH AND FINESSE AT UTAH SYMPHONY CONCERT

UTAH SYMPHONY, Abravanel Hall, Nov. 21; additional performance 8 p.m. Nov. 22, tickets at 801-355-2787, 888-451-2787 or www.utahsymphony.org

The young Japanese violinist Fumiaki Miura made a big impression when he debuted with the Utah Symphony two years ago in Max Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy. And Friday, on his return visit to Abravanel Hall, he once again sounded marvelous, this time in Camille Saint-Saëns’ Third Concerto in B minor.

Miura showed he has the technical and musical chops to be a respected violinist at his inaugural Utah Symphony appearance. And if anything his performance on Friday showed more finesse and polish.

He also has a strong stage presence and personality that goes beyond his 21 years. He is quite a mature performer who will no doubt make a big name for himself in the years to come.

Saint-Saëns’ Third Violin Concerto is an expressive piece that requires of the soloist finely phrased and executed playing with a keen sense of lyricism — all of which Miura possesses. His playing captured the subtleties while delivering a well crafted account.

Thierry Fischer and the orchestra offered a well balanced counterpart to the soloist. It was a wonderfully interwoven collaboration that complemented Miura’s playing.

Also on the program this weekend are two works by Antonìn Dvorák — the incidental overture Mein Heim (My Home) and the Symphony No. 7 in D minor.

Both were played with passion and expression, and in the symphony in particular Fischer crafted a bold and robust reading that nevertheless emphasized the nuances of the score.

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About Edward Reichel

Edward Reichel, author, writer and composer, has been covering the classical music scene in Utah since 1997. For many years he served as the primary music critic for the Deseret News. He has also written for a number of publications, including Chamber Music Magazine, OPERA Magazine, 15 Bytes, Park City Magazine and Salt Lake Magazine. He holds a Ph.D. in composition from the University of California at Santa Barbara. He can be reached at ed.reichel@gmail.com. Reichel Recommends is also on Twitter @ReichelArts.

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