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The Utah Symphony Orchestra and the broader arts community chose this month to pay homage to Maurice Abravanel. He was born a hundred years ago in Greece, and died ten years ago in Salt Lake City at the age of 90. KSL believes the maestro is worthy of this centennial remembrance and deserves the ongoing plaudits of a grateful community.
Maurice Abravanel is best remembered, of course, for elevating the Utah Symphony from a small semi-professional ensemble to one of the nation’s premier orchestras. But, beyond his beloved musical organization, Abravanel’s contagious optimism, boundless energy and persuasive prodding influenced the overall development of the cultural arts in Utah.
He championed efforts to establish a first-class opera and a world-renowned ballet. Other less prominent arts organizations owe him a debt of gratitude, as well. Perhaps more significantly, thousands of Utah school children each year are exposed to the inspiring and soothing grandeur of classical music because of his efforts to take the orchestra to the public schools.
The maestro’s legacy is vast and profound!
Though he put down his baton two decades ago, his influence continues. We reaffirm what KSL said on the occasion of his death, “Utah will be forever more melodious because Maurice Abravanel made beautiful music here.”
