The Chamber Orchestra of the Springs’ third concert of the year will feature a musical selection that director Jacob Pope calls the “middle child” of Beethoven’s symphonies and a challenging piece by the most recent winner of the orchestra’s annual Emerging Soloist competition. Mired in music history between its two “attention-hogging” siblings, Beethoven’s Fourth Symphony might be the composer’s most underrated piece, Pope said. But on Saturday and Sunday, it will enjoy the center stage. “Beethoven’s Third Symphony was sort of a revolutionary piece, and his Fifth Symphony might be the most famous piece in classical music,” Pope said. “People forget about the Fourth Symphony a lot, so we’re going to give that a whirl.” The second piece, a concerto by Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara, will feature all four members of the flute family — all played by a single musician. Each year, the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs holds a video-submission competition for college-age soloists. The winner of last year’s Emerging Soloist competition, Arin Sarkissian of the Victoria Symphony in British Columbia, was the top choice from a field of about 70 contestants. A panel of patrons, subscribers, board members and orchestra musicians select the top candidate. “A lot of different community judges go into selecting the winner,” Pope said. “There were probably a few dozen people who watched Arin’s video, and most gave it a really high score.” The decorated, Toronto-born artist has won the Yamaha Young Artist Performance Competition and garnered first place in the Nancy Clew Eller, Music Teachers National Association, San Diego Flute Guild and Naftzger Young Artist competitions, according to his bio. Toronto-born flautist Arin Sarkissian, winner of the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs’ annual Emerging Soloist competition, will play alongside the orchestra this weekend. (Courtesy of Chamber Orchestra of the Springs) “(Sarkissian) is a brilliant player,” Pope said. “He’s got a regular flute, a piccolo, an alto flute and a bass flute, and he switches between all four of them to play the piece.” In addition to the opportunity to perform with a professional orchestra, Sarkissian will receive a high-definition video and audio recording of his performance, a $2,000 cash prize and $500 donated to the charity of his choice. The show’s selections are tied together by their connection to nature, according to Pope. “The Rautavaara piece is very much inspired by the serene spirituality of the glaciers and forests of Finland, where he was born and lived,” he said. “And Beethoven’s Fourth has some moments that feel very connected to nature. It’s a sort of serene, sparkly, icy, shimmery set of music — perfect for the start of wintertime.” IF YOU GO What: “Dances with the Winds” concert, Chamber Orchestra of the Springs When: 7 p.m. Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday Where: Ent Center for the Arts, Chapman Recital Hall Price: $17.75-$40.50; entcenterforthearts.org ...read more read less