"A symphony is a stage play with the parts written for instruments instead of for actors." -Colin Wilson
You know the rule...When in Salt Lake...get some yummy food. Neil and I rushed into City Creek with just enough time to enjoy lunch at one of my favorite sandwich shops. Would it kill them to put a Blue Lemon in Layton?
I can never decide what I want to eat, so Neil and I usually order three to four items, then share them all.
A spinach and pear salad with chicken and gorgonzola with candied pecans and turkey bacon, drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette.
A balsamic chicken panini and tomato bisque soup. There wasn't a whole lot of talking during this meal. All that could be heard from our table were expressions of pure delight as our taste buds enjoyed a flavor festival. The gentlemen enjoying their lunch break at the table next to us, sent a strange glance my direction as I got out my camera and began a food photo shoot. I'm sorry, but next to my children, food is my favorite thing to photograph. So go back to your fish tacos buddy, and let me enjoy my food in my way.
Once we were full. O.k. Neil was full. I could have eaten another sandwich. Anyway, it was time to walk over to Abravenal Hall.
Neil's parents were on their way home from St. George and stopped at the festival to watch Jessica perform. We got there in time to hear the Granite Youth Symphony perform. That was the symphony my violin teacher was encouraging me to audition for when my family moved to Layton. Living my unfulfilled dreams through my child?...perhaps.
The Davis Youth Symphony started with Dvorak's Slavonic Dance. The difference between the sound of this piece in the acoustical masterpiece of Abravenal Hall, versus a high school auditorium, is quite impressive. I just sat back and soaked in the music. I am a fan of any slavonic, russian, or hungarian dance by just about any composer, so this was a treat.
The next piece was Pavane For a Dead Princess by Ravel, and it really did make you want to cry. It was that beautiful. This conductor really does do wonders with this group of teenagers.
I'm always thrilled when I catch a shot like this. Jessica memorizes most of her music so as to be able to watch her conductor with absolute attentiveness.
I hate to try to pick favorites at these concerts, but the final piece might have inched out ahead of the others. Overture to Orpheus in Hades by Offenbach. What is that song, you ask? The non-musician may recognize it more readily as "The Can-Can". So you see, whether you like to admit it or not, everyone appreciates some classical music. I had never heard the first movement, and I love it as much as the second! The orchestra nailed this one! I kind of wanted to jump out of my seat at the end, but I controlled myself.
We gave our little batch of musicians a hearty applause. We couldn't help but beam with pride. I must have been sporting my rose-colored glasses this afternoon, because I was sure they sounded as good as the Utah Symphony. At this point, I darted out of the auditorium at impressive speeds, as my bladder was ready to explode. All that lemon water I drank at the Blue Lemon hit me at about the first note of the Pavane. By the end of Offenbach, I was in a desperate situation. Crisis averted, and now it was time for photos.
I wanted to sneak up to the balcony to grab a picture of the symphony, but the photographer had strategically placed a stubborn usher at the bottom of the stairs to keep us overzealous parents away. So this was the best shot I could get. I guess I'll be ordering the over-priced 8 x 10. After all, it's not everyday that your child gets to perform with a prestigious symphony inside one of America's most beautiful concert halls.
Here's a shot of the cellists. A rowdy bunch at times.
And here's a shot of my favorite cellist in front of one of her favorite blown glass sculptures. A gorgeous Jessica in front of a gorgeous Chihuly.
And here is that gorgeous cellist with her proud mommy.
And here she is with her doting daddy.
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