All-Slavic work worth the drive

Of the many conductors on the podium in Abravanel Hall in recent years, few have been as well-liked and admired as Pavel Kogan. Since his debut with the Utah Symphony nearly a decade ago, the Russian maestro has been popular with local concertgoers, as well as with a number of the symphony's musicians.

The high regard Kogan has enjoyed in Salt Lake City was cemented during his six-year stint as the Utah Symphony's principal guest conductor and reinforced during his return visits over the past three seasons.

Kogan has also been music director of the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra since 1989, and when he brought it to Abravanel Hall during its first American tour in 2001, the reception accorded the maestro and his Russian colleagues was no less enthusiastic -- both here in Utah and in other cities where they performed.

After five years, Kogan is once again bringing his Russian orchestra to the United States, but this year's three-week, 15-city tour will bypass Utah. The closest they'll be coming to the Beehive State is Las Vegas, where they'll perform next Saturday at the Performing Arts Center on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus.

During an interview with the Deseret Morning News conducted via e- mail, Kogan wrote that he had hoped to return to Utah with the MSSO. "I'm not certain why Salt Lake City did not engage me and my orchestra during this tour, but I did express much interest in performing in front of this wonderful audience."

Kogan and the MSSO will play an all-Slavic program in Las Vegas: Tchaikovsky's "Marche Slave" and "Variations on a Rococo Theme," and Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 ("From the New World").

Joining them for the majority of the concerts on the tour will be the young American cellist Alisa Weilerstein, who, besides the "Rococo Variations," will also play the Schumann A minor Cello Concerto. These concerts mark Weilerstein's debut performances with the MSSO. "I've never performed with Alisa Weilerstein before," Kogan said, "and I'm very much looking forward to a great musical collaboration."

The Russians start their tour with three concerts in California, beginning on Tuesday. They finish with performances in the East and South before returning to Moscow on Nov. 22.

In his nearly 18-year tenure with the MSSO, Kogan has frequently taken his orchestra on tour. So far, it has played in more than 40 countries. "Last season, we were in Austria, Germany and China. In the current season, besides the U.S., we have a 15-concert tour in Great Britain" slated for next February.

Because of the positive response and critical acclaim of Kogan's first American tour back in 2001, he has wanted to return to the United States. "The response that we received on that tour touched us deeply, and I am happy that we will once again perform in many of the cities and states in front of these wonderful audiences."

Still, Kogan expressed regret that Salt Lake City would not be included. "It is too bad that I will not perform with my orchestra in Salt Lake City on this tour, a city that's very dear to me and where I have many friends, who for many years have been a part of my musical life. My relationship with my friends and supporters in Salt Lake City, both onstage and in life, brings me much happiness."

If you go

What: Moscow State Symphony Orchestra, Pavel Kogan

Where: Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

When: Saturday, 8 p.m.

How much: $45-$95

Phone: 702-895-2787

Web: www.pac.unlv.edu

E-mail: ereichel@desnews.com

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