DEER VALLEY MUSIC FESTIVAL, Utah Symphony Chamber Orchestra, St. Mary’s Church, Park City, July 16

The Utah Symphony has featured a number of exceptional young soloists at its Deer Valley Music Festival chamber concerts, but seldom has there been one as remarkable as Wednesday’s teen violinist.

Emma Meinrenken

Fourteen-year-old Emma Meinrenken, the junior winner of last year’s Stradivarius International Violin Competition, dazzled the audience in St. Mayr’s Church in two works: Schubert’s Rondo in A major for Violin and Strings and Saint-Saëns’ Havanaise.

The youngster is already a well rounded, one might say seasoned, musician. Her artistry and stage presence show a level of maturity well beyond her years. And the two pieces were well chosen. The Schubert allowed the Canadian-born Meinrenken to put her wonderfully crafted lyricism on display, while the Saint-Saëns gave her ample opportunity to show off her technical chops. Both were played with a self assurance and conviction that was quite impressive.

And the orchestra, under associate conductor Vladimir Kulenovic, offered well balanced accompaniment that let Meinrenken’s playing shine.

The concert opened with a robust treatment of Beethoven’s Egmont Overture. Kulenovic brought passion to his interpretation and the orchestra played with crisp articulation and finely honed delivery.

Rounding out the program was a sensitive reading of Ravel’s Pavane pour une infante défunte and a vibrant account of Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4, Italian.

Under Kulenovic’s guidance the Mendelssohn sparkled with exuberance. The tempos were well chosen allowing the lightness and dexterity of the music to come through. The execution was spot on and the playing was effervescent and full of youthful playfulness.