We saw the future last night. It looks great and sounds even better.

It was the first concert for this year’s Festival Orchestra at the Colorado College Summer Music Festival. 50 young aspiring musicians based out of the nation’s best music schools strutted their stuff as only true hotshots could manage.

With “fearless leader” Scott Yoo showing the way on the podium, this year’s “team” seems destined for glory (read “Students score big at CC Summer Music Fest- http://gazettedev.gazette.com/students-score-big-at-cc-summer-music-fest/article/1553409#! -on the Colorado Springs Gazette website for some background).

The orchestra’s entire wind section was up on the Cornerstone Arts Center for Richard Strauss’ “Serenade Op. 7.” A lovely, easy going appetizer to what was to come as somehow these somehow these 13 players have learned to play with one voice after less than a week and half.

As he did for all three works on the program, Yoo conducted with out a score. This maniacal man of music is a true triple threat in his art form: intense passion, intellectual brilliance and, when he performs on his violin, blessed of a physical facility rare to behold. That we have him hear in the Springs for three weeks each year is an advent not to be taken for granted.

Any doubts about the above statement were once again wiped out by the next performance- “Music for Strings, Percussion and Celeste” by Bela Bartok. The orchestra’s full compliment of strings and percussion were now featured and displayed the same kind of qualities that make Yoo so potent an artist.

By utilizing large gestures through the measured steps of the opening Andante, Yoo encouraged his players to maintain their intensity through this slow burning movement. The sounds the strings produced were sonic ambrosia.

The following Allegro was met with an incisive and exciting sound that never crossed over into vulgarity. It was a universe of string sounds played with intensity and beauty.

It was hard to breath during the “Night Music” that comprised the Adagio. The intended “other worldly” sounds were rendered seamlessly as the percussion section seemed to open portals to an alternative universe.

The Hungarian-inspired finale takes no prisoners and the strings hurled themselves at this rollicking spectacle. When it was all said and done, the festival had its second absolute stunner- the first being the Franck “Piano Quintet” from the opening concert – the work of the faculty artists. But Brahms was yet to come.

His “1st Symphony” had been performed at the Pikes Peak Center this past April by the Colorado Springs Philharmonic under maestro Josep Caballé-Domenech to great acclaim. Now it was time for the “kids” and their boss show how they could manage the composer’s much-anticipated mid-life entry into the symphonic canon.

We’ve grown to expect an emotional and sonic explosion at the outset of this work as Brahms pours his heart out to reflect his personal and artistic torment as he attempts to follow in the footsteps of Beethoven. That’s not how it sounded last night.

Rather than yielding to convention, Yoo asked his players to hold back their passion. It was a fascinating choice. The music acted as a true slow introduction in the tradition of the symphonies of Haydn. And when Yoo hit the gas for the movement proper, there was a true sense of shock.

From start to finish, this was a performance with a purpose. This reading had more unity and coherence than that of the philharmonic.

And then there’s the pure joy that these one-day fully professional musicians bring to the party. Lifetime professionals in the art form invariably get bogged down in politics and positions. It’s a good bet that these young artists will look back to these Junes in Colorado as the apex of their joy in their chosen profession.

The first movement was distinguished by clear contrasts between taught rhythms and relaxed lyricism. When called for, as in the final phrases of the development, a Beethovian intensity was channeled. The Cornerstone provided great clarity of sound and a view to each player. Truly a showcase.

Gorgeous playing from the strings and beautiful solos from oboist Cassie Pilgrim and violinist Mark Chen distinguished the slow movement. No saccharine here- just poignant expression.

The absolute elegance and promise of the next movement perfectly set up the opening angst of the finale- just as Brahms would have likes it. This somewhat episodic ride held together beautifully as conductor and orchestra risked it all to realize the vision of the composer. This was another performance registering in this season’s “hall of fame.”

The only sour note of the evening: the hall was only 3/5 filled. If you missed this concert you owe it to yourself to be there for the festival’s orchestral finale on June 27 and, frankly, every other bit of music you can make it to.

The Colorado College Summer Music Festival: remaining concerts

— Faculty Artists Chamber Music Concerts in Packard Hall, $5- $30

June 18, 23, 26- all at 7:30 p.m.

— Festival Orchestra Concert in the Cornerstone Arts Center $5- $25

June 27 at 7:30 p.m.

— Music at Midday: Student Chamber Music performances in Packard Hall, Free

June 17, 19, 22, 24, 25, 26 at 12:15 p.m.

— Children’s Orchestra Concert in the Cornerstone Arts Center, Free

June 18 at 11 a.m.

— Concerto Readings: festival students with the Festival Orchestra in the Cornerstone Arts Center, Free

June 20 at 2 p.m.

— Five Free Outreach Concerts throughout the Pikes Peak region

Tickets: 520-SHOW; ticketswest.com; Worner Center Desk at Colorado College

Full Schedule and information: 719-389-6552; www.coloradocollege.edu/musicfestival