Concert highlights student's mastery

Wednesday's concert at Auer Hall was a combination of memorable experiences. The music and the wonderful performance by the Chamber Orchestra was admirable. \nThe most memorable performance of the evening was delivered by 19-year-old double bass sensation DaXun Zhang, who is an artistic diploma student. He moved, captivated and impressed the audience with his mastery of the instrument. His performance was the highlight of the evening.\nThe musical festivities got off to a promising start with the performance of the "Pulcinella Suite" by Russian composer Igor Stravinsky. The piece consisted of bits and pieces of music from the ballet "Pulcinella," written by Stravinsky. \n"The music here uses thematic content from the Baroque period," said Paul Biss, a music professor.\nBiss conducted the Chamber Orchestra Wednesday. As this piece consisted of excerpts from a ballet, there seemed to be no obvious cohesion in the music. It might have been more comprehensible to music students and professors, but for the musically uneducated, this piece of music seemed to lack any sort of thematic or stylistic consistency. The music did contain prominent parts for the oboe, strings and trumpet, which were played almost flawlessly by the musicians.\nThis was followed by the piece everyone was waiting for: "Concerto No. 2 in B Minor for Double Bass and Orchestra." Composer Giovanni Bottesini, a bassist, is known for his operatic style of music. He wrote several melodious pieces that showed off the double bass, and this was one of them. When it came to showing off the instrument, Zhang did not hold back.\nThe emotions and expressions on his face became more intense with every passing note. His flawless rendition of Bottesini's music and his mastery of the double bass was a treat. At the end of his performance, the audience gave Zhang a standing ovation.\nThere was perhaps no one more proud of Zhang that evening than his mentor, Lawrence Hurst, a professor of double bass. When asked to comment on Zhang's performance, he had only one word to say: "sensational!" \nZhang himself was modest. \n"I was a little nervous at first, but I felt confident going in. I thought I played normally," Zhang said.\nAfter a brief intermission, the evening's festivities concluded with a beautiful rendition of Franz Schubert's "Symphony No. 3 in D Major." The Concert Orchestra delivered a perfect performance of this engaging piece to conclude the evening's music.\nIt was an enthralling evening of music. The music was romantic, passionate and playful. It was highlighted by an exceptional talent in Zhang, who promises to make headlines in the years to come.