Acclaimed violinist Paul Abegg performs as guest artist with the Orchestra of Southern Utah on Thursday, November 8. Photo courtesy OSU
Abegg and the Orchestra perform Violin Concerto in D by Brahms. Brahms dedicated the three movement concerto to his friend, the violinist Joachim. Joachim declared the concerto, which was Brahms only violin concerto, to be one of the four great German violin concerti.
Abegg is Director of String Studies at Dixie State College where he teaches violin, viola, and conducts the Dixie State Symphony Orchestra. As a soloist, Abegg has performed recitals throughout the United States as well as in Japan, Brazil, France, and England. His Chamber music experience includes performances with the Colson String Ensemble in France. He has played with the Lansing, Jackson, Flint, Kalamazoo, Flagstaff, Utah, Ballet West, Phoenix, and Spokane symphonies. Abegg has also performed in numerous orchestra festivals including the Northwest Bach Festival, Gilmore Piano Competition Orchestra (MI), Pine Mountain Music Festival (MI), Brevard Music Center, (NC), National Orchestral Institute (MD), Great Music West Festival (UT), Bear Lake Music Festival (UT), and the Grand Teton Music Festival Seminar, (WY).
The Orchestra also performs the popular Academic Festival Overture by Brahms with rousing school songs celebrating college days. The program will be complemented by the somber 2nd movement of the Symphony #3 (Eroica) by Beethoven Serenade for Thirteen Wind Instruments by Strauss.
Beethoven originally wrote Eroica (Italian for “heroic”) with the intention of dedicating the symphony to Napoleon Bonaparte. Beethoven admired the ideals of the French Revolution, and viewed Napoleon as their embodiment. He decided, however, to dedicate the piece to Prince Franz Joseph Maximillian Lobkowitz, as he could collect a fee for doing so. This dedication proved later to be a wise decision on Beethoven’s part, as Beethoven became disenchanted with Napoleon after declared himself Emperor of the French. Upon hearing of Napoleon’s death in 1821, Beethoven stated, “I wrote the music for this sad event seventeen years ago” (referring to the 2nd movement of Eroica).
Strauss wrote Serenade for Thirteen Wind Instruments in 1882. He was 18 years old at the time. “He was still in the process of finding his own voice at the time and the work bears little resemblance to the tone poems and operas that he would write in the following decades,” stated OSU trombone Robert Gordon. “The Serenade is more likely to remind the listener of Mozart than of Wagner.”
Gordon continued on to say the leisurely pace of the composition allows listeners to enjoy the delightful interplay of the instruments.
Major sponsors for the concert are the Utah Arts Council, Genevieve Gardner, and June Thorley. “We appreciate the financial support which helps keep our ticket prices within reach of our community,” said Sara Penny, OSU manager. “We are fortunate to live in an area where the arts are valued. Our concerts are only possible because of the dedicated service of the musicians and the donations of individuals, businesses, and government.”
The Orchestra of Southern Utah Brahms, Beethoven & Strauss Concert featuring violinist Paul Abegg is performed Thursday, November at 7:30 pm. Doors open at 6:45. The OSU Woodwind Trio provides lobby music with Virginia Stitt, Sarah Solberg, and Hilary Stavros.
Tickets may be purchased for $10 adults and $5 for students (ages six and up); groups of six are $30 per concert. Tickets are available at the Cedar City Heritage Center Box Office, 105 N. 100 E. or by calling 435-865-2882. Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended. Discounted season tickets are also available for $30.
Children over the age of six are welcome at all the concerts with adult supervision. OSU requests that babies and children less than six years old not attend as evening concerts are recorded.
For more information please call Sara Penny at (435) 586-2286.
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