It offered a vision for the soul and more than a little hope for the future of symphony.

With Friday evening's opening of the Emerging Violin Virtuosa Concert, the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra highlighted the talents of violinist Sandy Cameron and premiered British composer Andrew Lowe Watson's "For the Fallen."

Watson was at the Fulton Opera House for this world premiere of his composition (it's on to Chicago next) dedicated to those who have lost their lives fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He received a standing ovation when the last notes of his tribute died away.

"For the Fallen" created a picture of the deep sorrow experienced by those who face death. You could almost see the fierce moments of combat, the explosions of fire, the ache of a lost life and the sad funerals of the soldiers, as the rising and falling themes layered one over the other.

While Watson had stated very clearly that his piece was not meant to be a political statement, it was impossible for the audience to not be affected by the passionate vision and the solitary viola that spoke of the utter anguish of another life lost.

For all the poignancy of "For the Fallen," the performance of Violin Concerto in A Minor by Karl Goldmark in 1877 was a welcome respite, as it lifted the spirits and cast the spotlight on the youthful brilliance of Cameron, the violin virtuosa for whom the concert weekend was named.

Petite and energetic, Cameron wore a brilliant red sparkling one-shouldered gown, and played with the athletic prowess of a superstar gymnast. Her mission to make classical music "fun" was clearly achieved as she danced and leaped over the notes of a piece few have dared to play.

It is no wonder Goldmark's Violin Concerto is rarely attempted by even most experienced violinists. It takes incredible strength and stamina to master its complexity and energy.

At 21, Cameron did just that. It was her first time performing Goldmark's challenging composition, and like a gold medal Olympic athlete, she nailed it with a 10, bringing the audience to its feet.

Lively and playful, the dramatic Violin Concerto was the perfect composition to showcase the rare talent of the up-and-coming violin virtuosa.

Born in North Carolina, Cameron began her violin studies at 8 with a teacher named Bach, and was 12 when she debuted on the European stage. She attended The Juilliard School's prestigious pre-college division and is now at Harvard and the New England Conservatory of Music.

As the youngest winner of the Salzburg Mozarteum Outstanding Student Prize, her performance quickly explained her numerous accolades. She was awesome, accomplished and amazingly adept.

The concert was rounded out by Anatoly Konstantinovich Lyadov's "Mazurka" from 1889, a sprightly, lilting composition that cast images of quaint folk villages, sun-dappled forests and flowery meadows.

Music director and conductor Stephen Gunzenhauser explained that Lyadov may have been the "laziest composer ever," because he failed to complete a commissioned work that went on to be composed by Stravinsky — the exquisite "Firebird" ballet. Even so, his lighthearted, charming "Mazurka" offered a lovely introduction to the concert.

The concert concluded with a little-known composition by Georges Bizet, best known for his opera, "Carmen."

Throughout Bizet's "Symphony in C," there were subtle hints and references to Bizet's famed opera. The joyous, ebullient composition was performed with unbounded sparkle, which Gunzenhauser compared to a bubbly glass of effervescent champagne.

"The Symphony" seemed fresh and full of youthful optimism, a composition that was discovered a full 60 years after Bizet died. He had composed it in 1855, when he was just 17.

As Gunzenhauser noted, "the real challenge is for the orchestra to make the audience believe that the work has no challenge in it but is simple, exciting and beautiful."

In this, The Lancaster Symphony succeeded, bringing Bizet's youthful work to life. Special kudos to Jeffrey O'Donnell and Terry Belzer on oboe, who managed to "breathe" through the challenging Adagio.

The "Emerging Violin Virtuosa" concert weekend is being held through Sunday at the Fulton Opera House Opera House.

The new Sunday matinee will be held at 3 p.m., with a Sunday evening performance at 7:30.

Today's concerts are being being performed 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. For tickets, contact the Fulton Opera House Opera House at (717) 397-7425 or www.thefulton.org.