Orchestra Nova played the Oct. 21-26 programs titled “Flying Solo” largely without Maestro Jung-Ho Pak. He stepped up to the podium Oct. 24 at the 534-seat Irwin M. Jacobs Qualcomm Hall for the opening, unlisted work, Ludwig van Beethoven’s overture to the ballet  “Prometheus.” Pak then left the rest of the evening’s music making to winks, head bobs and more sweeping gestures from concertmaster Alexander Palamidis and piano soloist Norman Krieger. During the performance of Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 3 it was difficult to tell which of the two leaders pro tem was on first. Krieger, whose cadenzas were most admirable, is apparently well liked by the orchestra, so a feeling of collegiality made up for frequent lapses in clarity. The third movement, Rondo Allegro, bears thrilling witness to the immensity of the composer’s genius. On its own the orchestra performed Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Divertimento in D Major (Salzburg Symphony No. 1). They shone in the no-holds-barred Presto movement. Krieger turned in an unusual performance of Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 14 (“Moonlight”). It was restrained, refined and remote. Some like their passion cool, but this interpretation is not my cup of tea.    Qualcomm Hall once again impressed with its comfort and astonishingly good acoustics. Attending a concert there — this one was an apparent sell-out — gives one a sense of occasion. Becoming resident chamber orchestra there is a good move for Orchestra Nova. The next program, “Haydn Seek,” features principal cellist Erin Breene, who performs the composer’s Cello Concerto No. 1. The orchestra also plays Symphony No. 45 (“Farewell”) and the Overture to “Orfeo ed Euridice.” Dates are 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20 at St. Paul’s Cathedral (Fifth and Nutmeg, downtown); 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21 at Qualcomm (5775 Morehouse Drive, San Diego, 92121); and 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23 at Sherwood Auditorium, La Jolla.    ArtPower kicks off chamber music series in new Prebys Hall ArtPower presented the inaugural concert in its 2009-’10 chamber music series at 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25 at the 400-seat Conrad Prebys Concert Hall, UCSD. The acclaimed Emerson String Quartet performed the concert, but the afternoon’s real star was the hall, designed by Seattle-based LMN Architects in collaboration with Cyril M. Harris. The upper strings — violinist Eugene Drucker, violinist Philip Setzer and violist Lawrence Dutton — play standing, while cellist David Finckel sits. Mendessohn’s String Quartet No. 1 in E Flat Major, Op. 12, featured Drucker on first and the work benefited from his sweet, luscious insistence. With its folk dance feel, the second movement, Canzonetta Allegretto, is particularly enjoyable, as pairs of upper and lower strings play frenziedly over the others’ sostenuto. The work also shows off the quartet’s mellowness and melodic gifts in the third movement Andante espressivo. The true joy of the afternoon for many attendees was the Emerson’s impeccable and poetic playing of Dmitri Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 9 in E-Flat Major, Op. 117. With its melodic walk culminating in a chorale of magnificent sonority, the Moderato con moto gave indication of riches yet to come in the additional four movements. There is never a dull moment with Shostakovich, as he sweeps the listener through rhythmic and melodic grandeur. The Emerson, as always, was virtuosic guide. During the afternoon/evening’s final work, Antonin Dvorak’s String Quartet No. 11 in C Major, B. 121 (Op. 61), one marveled that there was no better place to be in the entire universe. Prebys is a grand hall, and the Emerson comprises great players. Words to the wise: This concert was completely sold out. If one hopes to score tickets to future chamber music series concerts, one must act now. Go to www.artpwr.com to view the brochure and order tickets. Next up is the Aviv String Quartet at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, Conrad Prebys Concert Hall, Department of Music, UCSD.