Written for Acclaimed British Percussionist Colin Currie, Audiences Will Hear the Vast Range of Percussion Instruments 

In an exhilarating musical journey, Utah Symphony is set to deliver a breathtaking performance featuring Danny Elfman’s Percussion Concerto, a composition that brings the “symphony backbone” to the forefront of the stage. Acclaimed British percussion soloist Colin Currie will unravel the vast spectrum of emotions achievable through percussion instruments. The concerts will take place on Friday (with a special Finishing Touches performance of the final rehearsal that morning) and Saturday, March 22 and 23, at Abravanel Hall in downtown Salt Lake City. In addition, the Utah Symphony will perform Byrce Dessner’s Tromp Miniature, a soothing and introspective piece also performed by Colin Currie, and Brahms’ bold Symphony No. 1. The program is led by returning favorite guest conductor David Danzmayr.  

Dessner’s solo marimba piece Tromp Miniature showcases a unique fusion of classical and alternative rock influences. As a member of the band The National, Dessner has also enjoyed success as a film composer, including creating the original music for The Revenant (in collaboration with Alva Noto and the recently departed Ryuichi Sakamoto), The Two Popes, and Cyrano.  

The introspective yet generous nature of Tromp Miniature brings a subtle flow of ideas. Drawing on his diverse musical background, Dessner’s composition explores the rich timbres and expressive possibilities of the marimba. From intricate melodic lines to pulsating rhythms, this piece showcases Dessner’s skill as a composer and his ability to create music that transcends genre boundaries. Dessner states that “Colin’s performance captured on this recording is wonderfully expressive and soulful; he finds a depth and beauty in the piece that I didn’t imagine was possible when I composed it.”  

The highlight of the evening will be Danny Elfman’s Percussion Concerto performed by Colin Currie in an exhilarating showcase of the versatility and expressive power of percussion instruments. Elfman, renowned for his colorful film scores, brings that same energy to the concert hall. From hauntingly atmospheric passages to electrifying crescendos, the Percussion Concerto promises a dynamic and captivating experience. As Elfman himself describes it, “it’s fast, it’s exciting, it’s fireworks, and it’s a roof-raiser!” With its origins rooted in Elfman’s lifelong obsession with percussion, this concerto is a testament to his artistic evolution; he has shared that writing music without the confines of a film allows him to push outside of his comfort zone. 

One of the most well-known living composers, Steve Reich, describes soloist Colin Currie as “one of the greatest musicians in the world today.” Currie has captivated audiences around the world with his dynamic performances and fearless approach to percussion. Together, Elfman and Currie represent a meeting of musical minds, blending Elfman’s cinematic background with Currie’s virtuosity and enthusiasm. The Percussion Concerto promises to be near-athletic spectacle as Currie jumps between numerous instruments, offering audience members a unique musical experience that defies expectations. 

Closing out the evening is Brahms’ Symphony No. 1. This symphony stands as a towering achievement of the Romantic era, exemplifying the composer’s profound musical vision. Composed over a span of 14 years, this symphony represents a labor of love and a testament to Brahms’ meticulous craftsmanship. As the music unfolds, Brahms skillfully develops motifs and themes, creating a sense of continuity and cohesion throughout the work. In fact, one of the hallmarks of Brahms’ First Symphony is its emotional depth and complexity. Through subtle shifts in harmony and orchestration, Brahms explores everything from introspective melancholy to exuberant joy. The symphony’s finale is particularly triumphant, building to a climactic conclusion that resonates long after the final notes have ended. Paired with Elfman’s Percussion Concerto and Dessner’s solo marimba piece, Brahms’ symphony adds a timeless elegance to the program, providing a perfect counterbalance to the contemporary works that precede it. 

The public has the behind-the-scenes opportunity to witness the orchestra, Colin Currie, and guest conductor David Danzmayr as they refine the final details at a “Finishing Touches” open rehearsal on Friday morning. In addition, all Masterworks concerts are preceded by free Pre-Concert Talks in the First Tier Room of Abravanel Hall 45 minutes before the performance begins.  

For more information, please visit utahsyphony.org. 

Concert Listing  

Danny Elfman’s Percussion Concerto Finishing Touches Rehearsal  

Friday, March 22, 2024 / 10:00 a.m. / Maurice Abravanel Hall 

(123 W South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah)   

Danny Elfman’s Percussion Concerto 

Friday, March 22, 2024 / 7:30 p.m. / Maurice Abravanel Hall  

Saturday, March 23, 2024 / 7:30 p.m. / Maurice Abravanel Hall   
(123 W South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah)   

PERFORMERS: 

David Danzmayr, conductor 

Colin Currie, percussion 

Utah Symphony 

PROGRAM:  

BRYCE DESSNER: Tromp Miniature 
DANNY ELFMAN: Percussion Concerto 
BRAHMS: Symphony No. 1 

TICKETS start at $21 
STUDENTS AND UNDER 30S GET 50% OFF 

PURCHASE NOW:  

·         Online: utahsymphony.org 

·         USUO mobile app 

·         By phone: USUO Patron Services, (801) 533-NOTE (6683) 

·         In person: 123 W South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah 

·         ArtTix outlets 

Season Sponsor for Utah Symphony | Utah Opera is the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation. The Utah Symphony expresses its gratitude to Masterworks Series Sponsor O.C. Tanner and Conductor Sponsor Utah Division of Arts & Museums. 

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About Utah Symphony | Utah Opera 

Utah Symphony | Utah Opera connects Utah communities through great live music and is the flagship arts organization of the Intermountain West. USUO’s 87 full-time symphony musicians and five opera Resident Artists perform for more than 400,000 citizens in Utah and the Intermountain region each year, presenting more than 175 symphonic and chamber music performances; week-long runs of four fully produced operas; and music education programs for students and adult learners. The organization’s statewide service includes tours featuring outdoor performances against the backdrop of Utah’s natural beauty as well as education offerings—most recently, the six-stop Music Elevated Tour in August 2023. 

Founded in 1940 and one of just 16 year-round professional orchestras in the U.S., the Utah Symphony performs at downtown Salt Lake City’s Maurice Abravanel Hall, at its Deer Valley Music Festival in Park City, in Utah Opera productions, and at venues throughout the state of Utah. The symphony has embarked on seven international tours and performed at Carnegie Hall in 2016 in honor of its 75th anniversary season. The orchestra’s celebrated recording legacy includes more than 100 recordings; in April 2023, its latest album featuring Messiaen’s Des canyons aux étoiles—a work inspired by three scenic Utah locations—was released to great international acclaim. Thierry Fischer, who led the Utah Symphony as Music Director from 2014 to 2023, was named Music Director Emeritus beginning in the 2023-24 season. 

Since 1978, Utah Opera has provided citizens with distinguished and entertaining productions at Salt Lake City’s historic Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre—showcasing emerging and established artists, celebrating traditional works, and championing new works and the American operatic tradition. Utah Opera is one of just six opera companies in the U.S. with full production capabilities, including in-house costume design, set building, and props studios; the company currently has costumes for 50 productions and 19 full sets in its inventory. Utah Opera’s Resident Artist program is nationally recognized for providing invaluable career-training opportunities for professional singers and collaborative pianists. 

USUO leads in music education, with interactive and immersive education programs that engage and inspire tomorrow’s musicians and music-lovers. In the community in classrooms and in our venues, these programs serve 100,000 students, teachers and community members annually and reach every school district in Utah on a three-year rotation. 

For more information about Utah Symphony | Utah Opera and its Deer Valley Music Festival, visit usuo.org, utahsymphony.org, utahopera.org, and deervalleymusicfestival.org.