CD Review

I was quite interested when we received a new recording of Keith Lockhart and the Utah Symphony Orchestra (Reference Recordings CD #105) and had a chance to sit down and listen to it. I've heard Keith with the Boston Pops, and seen him guest conduct as well, but I hadn't had a chance to hear him with the Utah group yet. I'm really glad they've made "Symphonic Dances" - it's well recorded and is a brillant performance of familiar and new works.
It begins with a bright reading of Bernstein's Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, it's good honest music making.
The next work was new to me, Three Latin American Dances by Gabriela Lena Frank. It was commisioned for the Utah Symphony and Keith Lockhart in 2004. They are interesting and compelling works. The central movement, Highland Harawi, is a beautiful and slow piece, having origins of a solo bamboo flute and a single dancer (the notes are quite informative by Robert Markow.) The last movement, The Mestizo Waltz, is sure to become a favorite - it is one of mine now!
The disc (and I suspect this was a program the Utah Symphony did in their regular season, they recorded it two days after the Frank premiere) ends with Rachmaninoff's Symphonic Dances, Opus 45. The performance is quite good, crafted and exciting.
I heartily recommend this cd to you, for the performances, the vitality of it, and for the wonderful sound that Reference has captured in Abravanel Hall.
-John Clare, WITF Afternoon Classical Air Host