By Phyllis
The Ford Community & Performing Arts Center was fueled with excitement May 18, when local young artist revved up to help the Dearborn Symphony Orchestra conclude its 50th season.
Young players together with the symphony’s musicians maintained a high-octane performance. Engineered by musical director Kypros Marku, this last concert drove the season to a brilliant close.
Featured artist included pianist Yiran Emily Liu, 16, and violinist Haeji Kim, 14, as well as the Dearborn Youth Symphony. The young musicians played side by side with the Dearborn Symphony and helped make this a best in class show.
The symphony started up with Felix Mendelssohn’s “Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 107” “Reformation.” Well maneuvered, the work opened with a solemn introduction that turned dance-like and melodious. The melody concluded with a glorious celebration of the full orchestra.
Max Bruch’s “Violin Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Op. 44” featuring Kim followed. Poised with a maturity well beyond her 14 years Kim, a ninth-grader at Bloomfield Hills Andover High School, was vibrant. The charismatic youth steered through the challenging work with ease.
The second half of the show continued with Camille Saint-Saens’ “Piano Concerto No.2 in G minor, Op.22” featuring Liu. The young artist is a junior at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School. Liu played like a master bringing to the music a surprising kind of emotional ripeness.
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “Capriccio Italien, Op. 45” featuring the Dearborn Youth Symphony closed the evening’s performance. The wide-eyed enthusiasm of youth, combined with the knowledge experience brings to light made this the perfect end to the night.