After talking twice with its vibrant director, I got in touch with six of the NCCO's players.

WSJ: All Strings Attached | New Century Chamber Orchestra | By David Littlejohn

But the most often-noted difference between the NCCO (founded in 1992) and other U.S. chamber orchestras is that it has had, since 2008, a world-famous violinist as its concertmaster and artistic director.

WSJ: All Strings Attached | New Century Chamber Orchestra | By David Littlejohn

Audiences often feel deprived if at least one of the works on a program doesn't feature the lithe, attractive concertmaster, an alternately fiery and sensitive violin soloist standing, swaying and dancing up front, as she has done since 1981 and continues to do, away from the NCCO, with many other orchestras each year.

WSJ: All Strings Attached | New Century Chamber Orchestra | By David Littlejohn