The Meadows Symphony Orchestra performed on Oct. 28 and Oct. 30 with amazing performances of the Botticelli Triptych, Dukas’ Sorcerer’s Apprentice and two suites from Maurice Ravel.

Conductor Dr. Paul Phillips controlled the room like a whirling storm that trapped the audience’s attention forcefully, yet with pure amazement.

The Botticelli Triptych was beautifully played and conducted as such. “L’adorazione dei Magi” couldn’t have been performed any better by an audibly stunning cello section, especially by Kyung Seu Na, principal cellist.

The Botticelli Triptych was served by the Meadows Symphony Orchestra just as it was meant to be — perfectly.

Paul Dukas’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice had the audience immersed in such an intensely played piece.

The ensemble stirred up passion and excitement as the song built up to combustion. Just like the Botticelli Triptych, the ensemble astounded the audience with The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and was able to top off their previous piece again and again.

Maurice Ravel’s suites from Daphnis et Chloé were performed last. Just as it was believed the ensemble couldn’t top their last movement, Dr. Phillips clearly pushed the ensemble and the music to another level. Suite No. 1’s “Nocturne” was a forceful and severe escape that gives you pristine mental illustrations drawn exactly by each note. Transitioning through a medium Danse Guerriè, Suite No. 2’s “Lever de Jour” was a stark contrast from “Nocturne,” and was performed without flaw.

As Dr. Phillips conducted, his hands grasped upward from the musicians, seeming as if he was pulling up the sunrise to take over the earth.

And that it did, with notes and sounds that completely engulfed anything strictly mental, and pushed the audience to feel deep within their souls.

The ensemble’s music overtakes the heart and the mind, forcing the two together to create a bombastic event. Pantomime and Danse général pushed the audience, the ensemble and the music together as one and drowned out any outside distractions of the human mind.

The entire performance and the ensemble proved to be perfect. Throughout the performance, the music created such color and movement that could be imagined and seen, rising up and flowing freely.

Performances by a great percussion ensemble helped bring the music to life, especially with the pure passion of Dr. Phillips.

This orchestra is a reminder of the root of music and the way music began to be, in its purest form.

The Meadows Symphony Orchestra is not just a classical musical body, but they create an entire sensory experience that must be felt. The lucidity of the performers’ music is truly one thing — a gift.