Utah Symphony

The Utah Symphony formally established itself as the Utah State Symphony Orchestra on April 4, 1940, performing its inaugural concert with conductor Hans Henriot and 52 part-time musicians on May 8, 1940. In 1947, Maurice Abravanel began a transformative 32-year tenure as music director. Under his leadership, the ensemble became a full-time orchestra, earning national recognition through extensive recordings with Vanguard Records and Vox Records, including complete symphony cycles of Mahler and Tchaikovsky. Abravanel’s work earned the “Mahler Medal of Honor” from the Bruckner Society of America in 1965, and the International Gustav Mahler Society award for “Best Mahler Recording” in 1975 for the Fifth Symphony.

Markus Poschner was announced as Music Director-designate, set to assume the role for the 2027-2028 season, further strengthening its artistic direction. Complementing these transitions, Delyana Lazarova was appointed Principal Guest Conductor, with her tenure commencing in the 2025-2026 season. The Utah Symphony maintains a robust year-round schedule, presenting subscription concerts and accompanying the Utah Opera. The orchestra also holds a revered summer residency at the Deer Valley Music Festival, continuing to engage diverse audiences across the region and uphold its reputation for exceptional classical music performance and educational outreach.