Last night was the year-end concert of Connecticut Youth Symphony. It was one of the best concerts that I have ever attended. These high-schoolers really hit it out of the park last night.
It started out with “To uncertainty” - a modern piece composed by a student at University of Hartford. I have yet to learn to appreciate modern classical music made by composers who are alive right now. Thankfully, it was short.
Second offering by the group took it at least 10 notches higher. The violin soloist Mindy Zhao was super impressive. She won the yearly concerto competition with this Mendelssohn violin concerto and they orchestra accompanied her beautifully in this performance. Considering that Mindy is only a sophomore in high school, she has a lot of music greatness in her future.
After a brief intermission, CYS played the best music of the evening - Tchaikovsky’s 5th symphony. Four movements spanned over 45 minutes and it was just amazing. The wind section did a fantastic job and the strings accompanied them admirably. The whole performance was so beautiful and moving that even the conductor couldn’t contain his emotions and was in tears at the end.
According to my son who played viola in this performance, the first two movements of this symphony are the two best symphonic movements ever. Check out Tchaikovsky’s 5th if you haven’t listened to it yet.
My son had an enriching experience and he grew as a musician playing in the “Opus 83” string ensemble last year and in the CYS this year. Sad to see that this chapter in his musical life is ending. But, looking forward to more great classical music as he joins the orchestra at Davidson college this Fall.
