The Salt Lake Symphony will present a unique concert experience, titled “Sound and Silence,” on Saturday, May 17th in Libby Gardne Concert Hall on the University of Utah campus. Led by Music Director/Conductor Robert Baldwin, the orchestra will perform works that span the range of sound and activity to quiet and calm. Composer Phillip Bimstein will host the evening, and soprano Melissa Heath will perform on two of the works. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors. Tickets are available in advance at saltlakesymphony.org.

The Salt Lake Symphony’s final concert of the season is an exploration of sound and silence. Our friend, composer Phillip Bimstein, will host the evening, and our very own Charlotte Bell will transform the pre-concert talk into a mindfulness and listening workshop. Gorecki’s powerful Symphony no. 3 with soprano Melissa Heath will provide the main sonic exploration of the evening, a work Dr. Baldwin has wanted to conduct for a long time. Prepare for a meditative and moving night with the Salt Lake Symphony, a concert unlike ever you have experienced before!

Here’s a listing of the works the symphony will present:

• Jean Sibelius: Night Ride and Sunrise, op. 55
• Phillip Bimstein: “Silence” from Refuge
• G.F. Handel, Rheinhard: Obra mai fu (Largo) from Xerxes
• John Cage: 4’33”
• Gorecki: Symphony No. 3 “Symphony of Sorrowful Songs”

Robert Baldwin, Phillip Bimstein and Charlotte Bell will present a pre-concert discussion from 6:15 to 7:00 pm in Libby Gardner Hall, Room 270. Baldwin and Bimstein will discuss the programming and Bimstein’s piece, “Silence.” Bell will introduce key elements of mindfulness and lead participants in a short mindfulness practice to enhance their listening process.

Music Director Robert Baldwin and Philip Bimstein were featured on PBS Utah’s Contact with Mary Dickson last week to talk about this innovative concert.

View the PBS Utah interview with Robert and Phillip below.