Internationally recognized violinist Nancy Zhou played to a packed Patil Theater on Friday night, joined by San Francisco-born Serena Wang, a performer with major orchestras throughout China and the United States. Zhou chose Arvo Part’s “Fratres” as the opening piece of the night’s program, titled “Eternal Instance,” which also included works by Ottorino Respighi and Cesar Franck. Its skittering arpeggio intro set the stage for a tense conversation between Zhou’s frantic and burdened violin and Wang’s comparatively tranquil, yet somber, movement on the grounding chords.

The duo proved formidable throughout the program, particularly during portions such as the second movement of Respighi’s Violin Sonata in B minor, with its complex rhythmic and tonal signatures.

Earlier in the week, Zhou delivered a masterclass to the Harker Orchestra and also worked individually with student violinists to help improve their technique and interpretation.

The third and final concert of the 2024-25 Harker Concert Series season will take place Feb. 28, featuring the Poulenc Trio with singer Shawnette Sulker.