The lineup for the Butler County Symphony Orchestra’s Saturday, Nov. 2, performance was an intense display of darker, more dramatic pieces, which was in stark contrast to the fun and playful video games theme featured in its last performance.

Led by conductor Moon Doh, one of three finalists auditioning for the permanent symphony music director position, this concert offered the audience a look into Doh's range as a musician.

Following a previously playful and lighthearted theme, the concert’s program showcased his skill for more intense, classical compositions — possibly a deliberate choice to display the depth of his musicianship. The program featured two mysterious works that set a fitting tone for the post-Halloween season.

The first was Prokofiev’s “Sinfonia Concertante, Op. 125,” also known as “Symphony-Concerto in E minor, Opus 125,” and later renamed “Cello Concerto No. 2.”

Performing this solo was Alexander Dimitrov, a world-renowned Bulgarian cellist whose excellent technique and expressiveness had fully captivated the audience. Dimitrov performed on his historic P.A. Testore cello, crafted in 1740, which added a layer of depth and richness to his performance.

Dimitrov’s mastery was very clear as he navigated the technical and emotional parts of Prokofiev’s piece, a composition known for its musical complexity. His execution of the solo was both precise and emotive, displaying his deep connection to music. The audience responded in awe, rising for an enthusiastic standing ovation immediately after Dimitrov played his last notes.

After the concert, Dimitrov shared his immense gratitude for the invitation to perform with the symphony and how thrilled he was to revisit this concerto.

“It was really great getting to play alongside this orchestra. I was so happy when Moon Doh reached out and asked if I wanted to play this concerto here,” he said. “I have played this solo piece before, so it was truly great to play it again with this group. Thank you all so much for having me.”

He noted that he had performed this solo piece once before and has been playing the cello for 24 years. His performance resonated with the audience, making it the standout moment of the concert.

The concert concluded with Hector Berlioz’s “Symphonie Fantastique,” composed in 1830, a fitting finale that unfolds a narrative through its five intense movements.

This composition is an intricate portrayal of Berlioz’s infatuation with the actress Harriet Smithson, capturing the passionate highs and dark lows of his feelings for her. Each movement reflects a different part of his journey, from elation to despair, to fully immerse the audience in this love story.

The first movement introduces the dreamy nature of his infatuation, while the following movements dive into feelings of joy and longing. However, as the symphony progresses, the narrative takes a darker turn in the fourth and fifth movements, which mirror the abrupt ending of Berlioz and Smithson’s marriage after 11 years together.

The symphony brought this wildly complex story to life by giving the audience an emotional experience through this performance.

This concert showcased the contrasting themes from Dimitrov’s stunning performance of Prokofiev’s “Cello Concerto No. 2” to the emotional journey of Berlioz’s “Symphonie Fantastique,” leaving audience members at the edge of their seats for the next concert in December.