Backstage at the 2024 Gina Bachauer International Artists Competition: Commissioned work Gabriela Lena Frank’s Two Andean Portraits to receive unique world premiere in semifinal round

For only the third time in the 48-year history of the Gina Bachauer International Artists Piano Competition and the first time since 1982, all 12 of the pianists in the semifinals will play a new commissioned solo work. It will be Two Andean Portraits by Gabriela Lena Frank, one of America’s foremost composers who also … Read more

Backstage at the 2024 Gina Bachauer International Artists Competition: 33 quarterfinalists from 11 countries set to arrive later this week in Salt Lake City

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Utah Review is pleased to present extensive coverage of the 2024 Gina Bachauer International Artists Competition. Each day this week, we will present profiles of the quarterfinalists. This week will focus on preview features and beginning June 17, a daily diary will be published about competition highlights.  The nation’s second largest piano … Read more

More from a bountiful autumn season in performing arts: Fem Dance Company, Local Independent Theatre (LIT Co.) and NOVA Chamber Music Series

The fall performing arts season in Salt Lake City has been a bountiful harvest of enterprising programming. Featured reviews include Fem Dance Company, Local Independent Theatre (LIT Co.) and NOVA Chamber Music Series. FEM DANCE COMPANY: HEAR HER Earlier this month, Fem Dance Company’s premiere of Hear Her, choreographed by Alicia Ross, was an enlightening, … Read more

World premiere of Gabriela Lena Frank’s A Psalm of Disquiet by Fry Street Quartet set for Utah State University’s music school, NOVA Chamber Music Series

This week’s world premiere of Gabriela Lena Frank new string quartet A Psalm of Disquiet at Utah State University and then on Nov. 5 at NOVA Chamber Music Series in Salt Lake City, is yet another milestone in the flourishing relationship which the composer and Fry Street Quartet have developed over many years. “I have … Read more

NOVA Chamber Music Series’ 2023-24 season will be personality-driven thrill ride with lots of surprising twists and turns

A prime reason why the NOVA Chamber Music Series consistently excels in its unique programming brand is demonstrating how the deep bench of world-class musical talent in Salt Lake City and throughout Utah can tackle just about any curveball a composer could conceive of throwing their way. For NOVA’s 46th season, the Fry Street Quartet, … Read more

Detrás del telón en la Música de Cámara de NOVA: Miguel Chuaqui, Nicolás Lell Benavides, Gabriela Lena Frank tratan sobre mezclar, integrar y entrelazar los hilos de la identidad en su música

Nota del Editor: Este artículo se presenta en español y inglés, gracias a Mark Alvarez. The Utah Review, aprecia su esfuerzo y su capacidad de ayudar en la preparación de las dos versiones. (English version is available here) En Parallel Play, que se estrenará a nivel mundial el día 12 de marzo en el concierto de NOVA … Read more

Backstage at NOVA Chamber Music Series: Miguel Chuaqui, Nicolás Lell Benavides, Gabriela Lena Frank on crossing, integrating, intersecting multilayers of identity in their music  

EDITOR’S NOTE: This feature also has been translated into Spanish and is available here. For Parallel Play, which will receive its world premiere at the March 12 concert of NOVA Chamber Music Series, composer Miguel Chuaqui says he is playing with the complexities of his background and musical influences. He was born in Berkeley, California … Read more

NOVA Chamber Music Series’ Songs of the Americas features works by Clarice Assad, Gabriela Lena Frank, Anthony R. Green, Charles Ives, Jessie Montgomery

A truly contemporary landscape representation animates the upcoming NOVA Chamber Music Series concert Songs of the Americas (April 10, 3 p.m., Libby Gardner Hall at The University of Utah). The concert, which celebrates not just the U.S. but the whole diasporas of the entire American continental geography, will feature works by three composers already represented … Read more

NOVA Chamber Music Series’ 42nd season opens with Night Music concert featuring works by Harbison, Frank, Bartók, Chopin

Works by two prominent American composers along with a precedent-setting chamber piece for pianos and percussion by one of the 20th century’s greatest composers and three of Chopin’s most exquisite nocturnes for piano will comprise the opening concert for NOVA Chamber Music Series’ 42nd season. The Night Music concert also is the first being programmed … Read more