The concert featured the Eroica Ensemble, which included New York, Chicago and Memphis musicians. The group performed the music of Ludwig van Beethoven. Michael Gilbert, who recently retired from the New York Philharmonic, conducted the concert. “It’s a real musical highlight for Lambuth,” Don Huneycutt said. Gilbert told the audience he has deep roots in Jackson. “My folk are from this area so it’s really fun to be here. My mother went to college in Jackson,” he said before the performance.

And several members of the ensemble were members of Gilbert’s family. They included his wife, Yoko Takebe, concertmaster and New York Philharmonic principal violinist; his sister, Joan Gilbert, former European touring concert pianist and current University of Memphis piano professor; his brother, Robert Gilbert, playing in the horn section; and nephews Daniel Gilbert on violin and Anthony Gilbert on viola. Jerry Gilbert of Jackson, Michael Gilbert’s first cousin, was in the audience Sunday.

He said he and his cousin had talked about bringing a program to Jackson and he was very pleased with the turnout. “I want to compliment Dr. Fred Zuker (president of Lambuth), who did a marvelous job of advertising the concert and providing a venue,” Jerry Gilbert said. Zuker, in turn, thanked Jerry Gilbert, and said Lambuth was very fortunate to be able to provide a place for the community to enjoy the ensemble.

Zuker’s wife, Melody, described the concert as “marvelous.” She said the musical talent left her “spellbound.” Shannon Szalanski, an 18-year-old Lambuth music major, enjoyed the concert from a second-row seat. “It’s an honor to be able to attend. They’re quite an inspiration,” said Szalanski, a Palm Bay, Fla., native.