BYU Symphony Orchestra Performs Classical and Holiday Favorites at Concert

The concert will feature “The Moldau,” “The Comedians,” as well as selections inspired by the holidays The BYU Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Christian Smith, will perform a thrilling selection of orchestral works on Dec. 5. The concert will feature a complete symphonic suite, a symphonic poem and selections perfectly suited to the holiday season. The evening will open with the ten movements of “The Comedians,” by Dmitry Kabalevsky. The second movement, or “The Comedians’ Gallop,” is the most famous work by Kabalevsky.  The fame of the suite has long-outlasted the children’s play, “The Inventor and the Comedians,” that it was composed for in 1938 and will delight and be recognized by audiences. The second piece, “Die Moldau,” or “The Moldau,” is from “Má vlast,” a series of symphonic poems by Bedřich Smetana. The lush piece is the only poem of the six that is ever performed as an individual work and evokes the great rivers of Smetana’s native Bohemia. The rest of the program features works that will kindle the spirit of the season. The first will be J. S. Bach’s ever-popular “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring,” followed by Ralph Vaughan William’s “Fantasia on Greensleeves.” The concert will end with two of the most popular Christmas songs ever written, “White Christmas,” arranged by R. R. Bennett, and “Jingle Bells,” arranged by M. Gould. Tickets and Show Details Performance Dates and Times: Dec. 5 | 7:30 p.m. Location: de Jong Concert Hall, Franklin S. Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU Price: $7 Tickets: Available in person at the BYU Ticket Office in the Harris Fine Arts Center or Marriott Center, by phone at 801-422-2981 or online at byuarts.com