Concert one to remember

The Charleston Symphony Orchestra's Saturday night concert, dubbed "Wall to Wall Mozart," was one to remember, with the introduction of two astoundingly gifted young musicians. They will be two to watch in the future.

Soprano Amy Lynn Call from Virginia sang two arias for the Queen of the Night from Mozart's "The Magic Flute." This included the remarkably difficult and menacing second act aria with its two octave range and fast-paced high tessitura.

With excellent vocal projection, she easily filled Gaillard Auditorium, Her voice quality and musical skill was stunning. She received a genuine standing ovation.

Pianist Micah McLaurin, a home-grown Charlestonian 15 years old, performed with an orchestra for the first time. His choice was the slow movement from Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23.

His poignant, ethereal reading showed he has a poet's touch. For an encore he played Liszt's finger-tangling transcription of the Liebestod from Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde." McLaurin delivered much more than many mature professionals. Another impulsive standing ovation resulted.

Conductor David Stahl and the orchestra opened with a vigorous, dramatic reading of the overture "The Magic Flute" and closed with a soporific reading of Mozart's Symphony No. 40, which needed a good shot of adrenalin.