An exhilarating opener sets the bar high for the QSO 2014 season.

The theatrical heady impact of the QSO’s performance of the “Titan,” Mahler’s first symphonic juggernaut, was intoxicating in last Saturday’s “Musical Superstars.” This could explain why the smiling presence of Simone Young with outstretched, dancing arms made her seem a giant eagle preparing to soar into the sky.

But if Young, a class act, was physically buoyant on the podium, she was in command of the orchestra who willingly followed her every direction. The rapport between the conductor and QSO was palpable. And, a surprise. After all, an orchestra unified in support of a conductor is a phenomenon perched on the miracle side of the ledger.

On the other hand, the legendary soloist and conductor Shlomo Mintz was still as stone and played with his eyes closed for most of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto. This obviously works for Mintz because the sound he channeled was beautiful, precise and polished and couldn’t be faulted from the deepest to the highest of notes. The soloing was noble, never gratuitously showy and always alert to the orchestra.

Had the concert hall’s roof caved in, there was such gravitas in Mintz’ brilliant,...