Director of Orchestral Activities Paul Phillips conducts the Meadows Symphony Orchestra in competition. (Photo courtesy of Meadows School of the Arts)

On March 2, the Meadows Symphony Orchestra presented their Annual Concerto Concert under the direction of Paul Phillips in Caruth Auditorium.

The concert specifically focused on the three winners of the Meadows Concerto Competition, a contest created to showcase the most talented performers in Meadows School of the Arts.

The concert opened with John Adams’ “The Chairman Dances,” an outtake from his larger work “Nixon in China.”

The piece is a musical representation of a dance between Chairman Mao and his bride Chiang Ch’ing.

As the orchestra played, one could envision the two figures dancing around the room as the music sprang forth in modern melodies and rhythmically stimulating sections.

The orchestra embodied the idea behind the piece so well that it came alive and leapt forth, embracing the audience.

Adams’ piece was followed by “Arvo Pärt’s” fratres. What was interesting about this particular piece was the constant repetition of the melody over a continuous drone that played beneath the orchestra.

Because the melody was constant, the most delicate changes in dynamics and articulation rang forth to recreate the familiar melody.

The ensemble swelled smoothly into rich, beautiful crescendos and diminished with such tenderness that the communication between Maestro Phillips and his ensemble was palpable.

To complete the first half of the concert, the orchestra played Dmitri Shostakovich’s “Concerto No. 1 for Cello and Orchestra,” featuring Michael van der Sloot, a graduate cellist and composer.

His interpretation of the piece was so personal, and his presentation so intimate that the audience was invited to join his musical conversation with the orchestra as the two discussed the various themes.

His command of the cello was absolutely compelling as he brought forth the haunting melody.

After a short intermission, the orchestra returned with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra in B flat Major,” featuring John Searcy, an undergraduate bassoon performance major.

In the first movement, Searcy displayed his virtuosity with rapidly arpeggiated passages and rushing scalar figures. This rhythmically charged movement contrasted with his beautiful lyricism that sang forth and enthralled the audience in the second movement. His attention to the slightest details was apparent in his stunning presentation.

The orchestra concluded the concert with Franz Liszt’s “Totentanz,” performed with soloist Hando Nahkur, a postgraduate studies pianist.

The piece opened with a menacing chant melody, and the force behind the orchestra’s sound riveted the audience to their seats.

Hando’s fingers blurred as he flew through difficult passages full of ever developing scales, arpeggios and motivic elements.

His presentation was so natural and effortless, it was hypnotic to behold, and the orchestra’s final blasts rang through captivated silence in the hall.

As a whole, the concert demonstrated the magnificent talents of Meadows School of the Arts students.

Alongside the talented soloists, the orchestra mesmerized the audience, and the depth with which they interpreted their pieces and their emotional sensitivity made for a concert that was truly astounding.