The concert began with Tchaikovksy's "Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat Minor" and featured student soloist Sanghee Chung '12, who was welcomed onstage with enthusiastic applause.
The first movement provided a spirited introduction to the start of the piece. The piano solo playing over the orchestra's accompaniment acted almost like a call and response, with the piano putting forth one string of notes and the orchestra offering a dialogue.
The second movement was softer in tone, with the flutes providing an airy, romantic feel. The final movement, ending with a flourish of timpani, horns and strings all playing in unison, provided a fitting finale to Chung's spirited playing.
Chung has been studying piano since he was 14 years old, and he has performed in Carnegie Hall, Steinway Hall and the Lincoln Center. In preparation for Saturday's concert, Chung said he had been working on the piece with Princiotti since last spring.
"I chose Tchaikovsky because I've always had an afinity for Russian works," Chung said. "It was a very revolutionary piece when it was written. It also allows the soloist to show a sense of virtuosity."
Although most of the audience's attention was focused on Chung for the first part of the performance, the orchestra did an impressive job with its accompaniment. Chung admitted that playing with an orchestra presents its own specific set of challenges for a soloist.
"It can be difficult trying to play and listen, but it's also very fun because sometimes when you're playing by yourself things sound kind of empty," Chung said.
In the second half of the performance, the orchestra played Nielsen's "Symphony No. 4," also known as "The Inextinguishable." While the Tchaikovksy concerto emphasized the soloist's technical skill, Nielsen's symphony allowed the whole orchestra a chance to shine. Certain parts of the symphony sounded at times triumphant, eerie and frantic.
"Nielsen's very weird that's one way to put it," cellist Josephine Coury '15 said.
Coury is a member of The Dartmouth Staff.
The symphony also provided the string section a chance to show off its skills as the music required fast bowing. The wide variety and range of sounds was well-suited to the orchestra, with each section contributing equally to the overall effect of the piece.
The drama of the Nielsen piece provided an interesting counterpoint to the more restrained Tchaikovsky concerto.
"My favorite part of the concert is the fourth movement of the Nielsen because it sounds almost like a movie soundtrack, and I can see scenes in my head," French horn player and manager Amy Bray '13 said.
The skill of the orchestra is especially impressive considering that most of the members are also full-time students who balance coursework with extracurricular activities. The orchestra had several intense rehearsal sessions in preparation for the concert, according to concertmaster Emily Hyun '13.
"I've been playing violin for 17 years now," Hyun said. "There were times when the practicing made things difficult, but it helps when you have a goal in mind."
Despite the time commitment, orchestra members said music is a necessary part of their lives and that they have become close with their fellow musicians. Hyun said she feels like there is something particularly captivating about classical music. In addition to the camaraderie between musicians, Chung said he sees concerts as an opportunity to expose his audience to a genre of music with which they would normally not be familiar.
"I want people to have a deeper understanding for classical music in general," Chung said. "It would be great for students to be able to appreciate it, since it's lasted for over 100 years."
Bray also said that classical music is an important part of any musical experience and that it is important to expose people to it.
"Classical music speaks to something that is part of human nature," Bray said. "Music style can come and go people won't be listening to Ke$ha 20 years from now but classical music is something that persists."
Although the orchestra performs every term, each concert offers unique selections from its broad repertoire, and each term, they try to showcase something new, according to Bray.
"I like the winter concerts because we only get to play once a year with a Dartmouth student soloist, and it's great to see what fellow students can do," Bray said. "Here's someone who could be in one of your classes, and then they get onstage and you're like, Wow.'"
