Some people in Salt Lake City may remember a magic/novelty store tucked into a sliver of commercial space on Main St. between 1st and 2nd South. In existence as a retail establishment since the 1940's, Loftus Novelty (now Loftus International) began wholesaling operations in the 1960's. In the 1970's it conducted that aspect of the business in a modest warehouse building on 400 … [Read more...]
Utah Opera’s World-Class Artisans
John Wayne Cook - Set Design John Wayne Cook transports audiences from a theater seat to locations anywhere from Egypt to Japan or Shakespeare’s England. John, as the company’s scenic artist, designs, builds and paints Utah Opera’s backdrops and sets in a cavernous work space at the Utah Symphony/Utah Opera offices . Cook’s love for the job has been evident in his 35 … [Read more...]
Crawford Gates – Prolific Composer
In an exquisitely decorated home, filled with memorabilia from a long career, overlooking the Salt Lake valley, lives one of the most prolific, world-renowned composers of our time. Crawford Gates is a well educated, well spoken man who has lived many adventures including an LDS mission where he used his musical talents to reach out to people, service during World War II as a … [Read more...]
Utah Symphony’s First Recording Under Music Director, Thierry Fischer
Community Press Release Honoring the Utah Symphony's 75th anniversary season, Music Director Thierry Fischer and the Utah Symphony released their first recording together on September 11, 2015. The recording features a performance of Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 1 "Titan". It was recorded live in Maurice Abravanel Hall on September 12 and 13, 2014. The new Super Audio CD … [Read more...]
Thomas Baron: A Utah Violinist Shares His Story
Some musicians believe that the instruments they play choose them. That is how it happened for Thomas Baron, violinist for the Utah Symphony. When he was in 6th grade, someone came into his classroom and asked if anyone was interested in learning to play an instrument. Those students who raised their hands were led to the instrument room and told to pick one out. Thomas was … [Read more...]