Back home in New York, Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, 52, is choosing the repertory, inviting visiting soloists and commissioning new works.

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

Ms. Salerno-Sonnenberg, who came to the U.S. from Italy at age 8, had become by 20 the youngest winner of the Naumburg International Violin Competition.

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

Here you can watch Ms. Salerno-Sonnenberg, in a sleeveless black top and sparkling pants, dancing and smiling her way through Piazzolla's "The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires, " the orchestra one with her all the way.

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