Friday, August 21, 2009

Summer Symphony goes out with a bang

Pavilion and lawn had no room to spare to hear Beethoven No.9

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By SABINA DANA PLASSE
Express Staff Writer

Sun Valley Summer Symphony board President Carol Nie announced her retirement after 15 years of working with the symphony. Photo by Sabina Dana Plasse

It was a joyous evening of music, which started late due to the overwhelming number of people who wanted to hear the last Sun Valley Summer Symphony concert of 2009.

The event Tuesday evening began with the retirement of symphony board President Carol Nie, who had served the symphony as a board member, volunteer and two-term president over 15 years.

"I retire with a great sense of pride," Nie said to a packed Sun Valley Pavilion and lawn. "For 25 years, the mission has been to present free concerts for all."

The Sun Valley Summer Symphony celebrated its 25th anniversary with a resounding performance of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Opus 125 "Choral." Beethoven's well-known "Ode to Joy" was sung by the Utah Symphony Chorus, joined by soprano Elza Van den Heever, mezzo-soprano Lara Nie, tenor Sean Panikkar and bass Alfred Walker.

The evening's performance was made possible by a generous donation from Jan Aronson and Edgar M. Bronfman, symphony benefactors who were in attendance Tuesday. Also in attendance were Sun Valley Co. owners Earl and Carol Holding, along with Wally Huffman, the resort's director of development. The Holdings and Huffman were thanked for their efforts in building the Sun Valley Pavilion, home to the symphony.

"I have a deep appreciation for a job well done," said Nie about Musical Director Alasdair Neale and the orchestra. "You fill my heart with utter joy, and I thank you."

Martha Reed will succeed Nie as symphony board president.

Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com