Watch selections from the CCM Philharmonia's Feb. 19 concert

Dubbed "Northern Lights," the eclectic program included concertos by composers Alexander Scriabin and Sergei Prokofiev, giving student soloists a chance to shine. The concert concluded with a rarely-heard pairing of two stunning works by Finnish master Jean Sibelius. Selections from that concert are now available for on-demand viewing.

The New Grove Dictionary of Music & Musicians defines a concerto as "an instrumental work that maintains contrast between an orchestral ensemble and a smaller group or a solo instrument." The concerto is a prominent form of virtuoso display, and the concertos by Scriabin and Prokofiev featured on "Northern Lights" are perfect showpieces for CCM's "stars of tomorrow."

“I want audiences to experience the best of CCM through its outstanding student soloists and through its top orchestra, playing in top form,” explained CCM Professor Mark Gibson. Gibson has led CCM's orchestral conducting program since 1998, and he serves as both conductor and music director of the CCM Philharmonia.

The CCM Philharmonia's "Northern Lights" concert opened with a performance of Scriabin’s Piano Concerto in F sharp Minor, Op. 20, featuring student soloist Qi Liang. The winner of this year's Piano Concerto Competition, Liang is a student of CCM faculty member Michael Chertock. Watch the full performance below.

The concert program continued with Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 63, featuring student soloist Sarah Ma accompanied by the CCM Philharmonia. The winner of this year's Violin Concerto Competition, Ma is a student of CCM faculty member Kristin Lee. This piece was conducted by another CCM student star: Moyue Zhou, a doctoral candidate studying with Professor Gibson. Watch the second and third movements of the concerto below.

The CCM Philharmonia's "Northern Lights" concert concluded with a pair of adventurous tone poems by Sibelius: En Saga, Op. 9 (1892) and Lemminkäinen’s Return, Op. 22, No. 4 (1896). Watch the performance of both pieces below.

The above performances were recorded in Corbett Auditorium on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025.

Nothing beats the thrill of a live performance, and the CCM Philharmonia returns to Corbett Auditorium on April 17. The orchestra closes its 2024-25 concert season with "Tour de France," a program featuring the winner of CCM's Cello Concerto Competition. Tickets to that performance are on sale now.

These CCM OnStage Archives videos were produced by CCM Recording Productions, an in-house video production entity that plans a season of promotional videos, short documentaries and concert recordings showcasing CCM students, faculty, staff and alumni.

Featured image at top: The CCM Philharmonia student orchestra performs on the stage of Corbett Auditorium during CCM's 2025 "Moveable Feast" gala fundraiser. CCM faculty member Mark Gibson conducts. Photo/UC Marketing + Brand