Khudyev, who is charming and charismatic, told me about  oboist, Elizabeth Koch Tiscione, from the Atlanta Symphony, who would appear at this concert as soloist for the Mozart Oboe Concerto K314.

To say she was a revelation would be understatement. Her playing was flawless and virtuosic. Conductor Khudyev kept everyone well in sync and the orchestra sounded well rehearsed and beautiful, and never overwhelmed her.

Khudyev is amazing in his ability to bring it all together. His choice of soloist was brilliant as she plays such a difficult instrument with utter fluidity and musicianship.

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The Honors Orchestra opened its half of the program with a whiz-bang reading of Berlioz’ spectacular Roman Carnival Overture, a stand-alone showpiece arranged from themes heard in his opera Benvenuto Cellini.

The program concluded with George Enescu’s greatest hit, the irresistible Romanian Rhapsody No. 1, a tour de force for orchestra that’s littered with cameo solos spotlighting individual players.

And so did Khudyev, the magician on the podium.

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