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New Jersey Symphony and Music Director Xian Zhang Announce 2024-25 Season
Allison Loggins-Hull appointed the next New Jersey Symphony Resident Artistic Partner
Gala and Concert with Renee Fleming in October
Audience favorites include Ludwig van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Gustav Holst's The Planets, Igor Stravinsky's Suite from The Firebird and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade
Guest artists include Steven Banks, lnon Barnatan, Paquito D'Rivera, Vadim Gluzman, Conrad Tao, Jean-Yves Thibaudet and Nancy Zhou
Disney's The Muppet Christmas Carol and Star Wars: The Force Awakens in Concert; Bugs Bunny at the Symphony 30th Anniversary Concert
World Premiere by Xavier Foley: New Work for Double Bass and Orchestra Collaborations with Nimbus Dance, TD James Moody Jazz Festival, Montclair State University Chorale, Singers and Prima Voce
Newark, NJ - The New Jersey Symphony's 2024-25 season was announced today by the Symphony and Music Director Xian Zhang. With a lineup spanning classical, holiday, family and movie concerts, there is truly something for everyone. Enjoy the season-opening Gala & Concert with superstar Renee Fleming, bring the whole family to see The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert, relive great classics including Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, "Choral," and Gustav Holst's The Planets with stunning HD images from NASA, introduce family and friends to classical music with Discover Mozart & Bach, and so much more.
The Grammy- and Emmy-winning New Jersey Symphony is a statewide organization, presenting mainstage concerts at New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick, Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank, Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown and Richardson Auditorium on the Princeton University campus. Subscription offerings are available at all five venues, including same-seat subscriptions and a flexible option of Compose Your Own Series of four or more concerts, which allows patrons to put together their own package of concerts at any venue, concert or seating section. Subscribers save money compared to buying tickets individually, and receive loyalty rewards through subscriber benefits.
New Jersey Symphony's Music Director Xian Zhang is in high demand as a guest conductor across the nation and internationally, for top orchestras including Los Angeles Philharmonic, The Philadelphia Orchestra, San Fransico Symphony, Seattle Symphony and Toronto Symphony. In 2024, Zhang made her Metropolitan Opera debut conducting Giacomo Puccini's Madama Butterfly. In 2024-25, Zhang enters her ninth season as the New Jersey Symphony Music Director.
Xian Zhang says, "I look forward to what will be an extraordinary season, full of exciting new experiences as well as exceptional performances of well-known repertoire. This season, we'll explore the natural world through music, including a thrilling collaboration with superstar soprano Renee Fleming and National Geographic, and performances of Holst's The Planets with HD images from NASA. I'm also happy to welcome back returning artistic collaborators Nimbus Dance, as they perform not one, but two brand-new dances with the Symphony. This season's repertoire will bring audiences to faraway lands and familiar places, all from the comfort and splendor of the concert hall. I invite our patrons to take a musical journey with us, and together we'll revel in the artistic ambition of New Jersey Symphony."
For New Jersey audiences, Zhang has crafted a season full of beloved masterpieces, bold new works and brilliant guest artists. In addition to Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 and Gustav Holst's The Planets, other audience-favorite works on the season include Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Symphony No. 35, "Haffner," Sergei Rachmaninoff's Symphony No. 2 and Piano Concerto No. 2, Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov's Scheherazade, Dimitri Shostakovich's Symphony No.Sand Igor Stravinsky's Suite from The Firebird.
Zhang has also infused the season with new experiences including celebrated premieres and other works by living composers, as well as several artist debuts. Highlights include Billy Childs' Saxophone Concerto and Xavier Foley's Soul Bass. Foley will also present the world premiere of a new work for double bass and orchestra.
Newly-appointed Resident Artistic Partner Allison Loggins-Hull's work Can You See? will be presented on a program in February. In addition to being featured in mainstage New Jersey Symphony programs, Loggins-Hull will become a partner on the artistic leadership team, adding her unique experiences and perspective to the artistic planning process. Loggins-Hull will also participate in the Symphony's education and community engagement efforts throughout the state of New Jersey.
Allison Loggins-Hull says, "I am thrilled to be joining the New Jersey Symphony's artistic leadership team. This treasured New Jersey cultural institution has already started on its journey of transforming what classical music can be in my home state. I look forward to being part of a team that propels the Symphony's artistic ambition and delivery to new heights-crafting memorable musical moments and collaborations, through concert experiences and education programs."
Season Highlights
Announcing Allison Loggins-Hull, Resident Artistic Partner
The New Jersey Symphony welcomes Allison Loggins-Hull as its next Resident Artistic Partner, a position that Daniel Bernard Roumain inaugurated with inspiring impact over the last three years. Allison is a flutist, composer and producer, and lives with her family in Montclair, NJ. Loggins-Hull has been associated with acts across the spectrum of popular and classical music including Flutronix, Hans Zimmer, Lizzo, lmani Winds, Alarm Will Sound, the International Contemporary Ensemble, Alicia Hall Moran and Jason Moran. Her music is resonant with social and political themes of the current moment, encompassing motherhood, Blackness and cultural identity. Loggins-Hull and Nathalie Joachim co-founded the critically acclaimed duo Flutronix, which has been praised by The Wall Street Journal for being able "to redefine the instrument" and by MTV for "redefining the flute and modernizing its sound by hauling it squarely into the world of popular music."
The 2024-25 season marks Loggins-Hull's second of three years as the Lewis Composer Fellow with The Cleveland Orchestra, resulting in three world premieres, and she is also Artist-in-Residence at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland.
More information on Loggins-Hull is available at njsymphony.org/alh
Gala & Concert Opening Night Celebration with Renee Fleming
A special concert featuring superstar soprano Renee Fleming will take place on Sunday, October 6, at 3 pm at NJ PAC in Newark. Inspired by Fleming1s 2023 Grammy Award-winning album, Voice of Nature: the Anthropocene, this special performance spans classical, Romantic and contemporary music, exploring nature as both inspiration and victim of humanity. The music will be accompanied by a stunning original film from National Geographic Society. Gala packages include a pre-concert cocktail party and post-concert dinner. Gala tickets can be purchased in Summer 2024. Tickets for the concert with Renee Fleming go on sale in April 2024, and can be purchased online at njsymphony.org or by phone at 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476).
This concert is presented in collaboration with New Jersey Performing Arts Center.
Premieres, Commissions and Living Composers
The 2024-25 season will continue to expand on the New Jersey Symphony's commitment to premiering and commissioning new works by living composers. Music Director Xian Zhang will conduct the world premiere of Xavier Foley's new work for double bass and orchestra, in addition to conducting Foley's already premiered Soul Bass. Foley himself will perform as soloist in both works-audiences will have the rare opportunity to hear the composer soloing in the world premiere of his own work. Allison Loggins-Hull, the New Jersey Symphony's incoming Resident Artistic Partner, will have her work Can You See? featured in February 2025. Other works by living composers being presented on the season include Billy Childs' Saxophone Concerto, Daniel Freiberg's Latin American Chronicles, Arturo Marquez's Danz6n No. 2, Qasim Naqvi's God Docks at Death Harbor, Gabriela Ortiz's Clara and Kauyumari, Caroline Shaw's The Observatory and Valencia and Donghoon Shin's Of Rats and Men.
Artistic Collaborations with New Jersey's Own
The New Jersey Symphony continues its long history of working with New Jersey based arts organizations and collaborating to achieve new artistic heights. In November, the Symphony will be joined on stage by Grammy and Latin Grammy Award-winning artist Paquito D'Rivera and his Quintet for a program full of Latin Jazz, Gershwin and Mexican favorites. The concert is in partnership with the TD James Moody Jazz Festival at New Jersey Performing Arts Center. In March, Jersey City's Nimbus Dance takes the stage with the Symphony for their interpretation of Stravinsky's Suite from The Firebird at the Newark concerts. Throughout the weekend, Nimbus Dance also performs brand-new choreography titled "Dark Water" to God Docks at Death Harbor by Qasim Naqvi. Naqvi says the work "is a vision of our planet years from now ... the quiet and peacefulness of a world restoring itself." In December, the Montclair State University Singers perform the annual tradition of Handel's Messiah. In January, the Montclair State University Prima Voce will perform in Gustav Holst's The Planets, and, in April, the Montclair State University Chorale will perform Ludwig van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony with the orchestra an "Ode to Joy" of a program. The Montclair State University Chorale, Singers and Prima Voce are directed by Heather J. Buchanan. In January, another annual tradition continues, with Music Director Xian Zhang conducting the 2025 Lunar New Year Celebration concert, featuring Peking University Alumni Chorus and Starry Arts Children's Chorus.
The New Jersey Symphony will continue its annual collaboration with New Jersey Ballet and Mayo Performing Arts Center in presenting NJ Ballet's The Nutcracker in December 2024. Performance dates to be announced.
Featured Guest Artists
Thrilling guest artists will appear on stage throughout the season. The Season Opening Gala & Concert will feature superstar Renee Fleming in a concert inspired by her Grammy Award-winning album Voice of Nature: the Anthropocene, which explores nature as both inspiration and victim of humanity. The concert is accompanied by a stunning original film by the National Geographic Society.
For lovers of piano concertos, the season features three returning audience-favorite pianists: lnon Barnatan performing Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 17, Jean-Yves Thibaudet performing the jazzy Piano Concerto in G by Maurice Ravel and Conrad Tao performing Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2.
Music Director Xian Zhang has been a champion of introducing new and diverse artists to New Jersey audiences. In the 2024-25 season, Tony Siqi Yun makes his New Jersey Symphony classical series debut performing Frederic Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1. Yun made his New Jersey Symphony debut at the 2024 Lunar New Year Celebration, dazzling the audience with selections from the Yellow River Concerto and Ravel1s Piano Concerto in G.
For violin enthusiasts, Vadim Gluzman will perform Johannes Brahms' Violin Concerto, one of the greatest of all concertos. Nancy Zhou, another Asian-American artist Zhang has championed, will perform Ralph Vaughan Williams' The Lark Ascending.
Conductors Kevin John Edusei, Lina Gonzalez-Granados and Jeannette Sorrell will have their New Jersey Symphony debuts in the 2024-25 season. Returning guest conductors include George Daugherty, Christoph Konig, Constantine Kitsopoulos and Carlos Miguel Prieto.
New Jersey Symphony Musicians Take Center Stage
The New Jersey Symphony is critically acclaimed for its roster of extremely talented musicians, and concerts that feature the stars of the orchestra showcase that talent. Concertmaster Eric Wyrick will be joined on stage by Principal Second Violin Francine Storck to perform Johann Sebastian Bach's Double Concerto for Two Violins. On the same program, a quartet of NJ Symphony players will be featured in Michael Abels' Delights and Dances, a bluesy work for solo string quartet and string orchestra. Principal Cello Jonathan Spitz will open the Firebird programinMarch withthePrelude fromJohann Sebastian Bach1sCelloSuiteNo.2.
New Jersey Symphony, and the Big Screen!
The wildly popular New Jersey Symphony at the Movies series continues, with two movie-in-concert presentations in 2024-25 season. In December, Disney's The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert will have its tri-state debut, with the holiday favorite score performed live to picture. In April, the New Jersey Symphony will present Star Wars: The Force Awakens in Concert, a continuation of the popular Star Wars trilogy concerts the Symphony has performed to thousands of audience goers across the state. Star Wars: The Force Awakens features John Williams' epic score, using both new and old themes throughout, including the popular "Rey's Theme."
In February, Bugs Bunny at the Symphony returns for the 30th Anniversary of the popular animated series featuring classics like "Baton Bunny," "The Rabbit of Seville," and "What's Opera Doc?" Created by George Daugherty and David Ka Lik Wong, and conducted by George Daugherty himself, it's a not-to-be-missed concert full of your favorite Looney Tunes characters on thebig screen, with the extraordinary musical scores performed live.
Holiday Celebrations and Traditions
The annual tradition of performing Handel's Messiah continues, this year with an extra performance at Richardson Auditorium in Princeton, so even more patrons can enjoy the warm atmosphere and music. Conductor Jeannette Sorrell will be joined by soprano Sonya Headlam, countertenor John Holiday, tenor Ed Lyon and bass baritone Kevin Deas, as well as the Montclair State University Singers, directed by Heather J. Buchanan. Also in December, the Symphony's newest annual tradition A Gospel Holiday will be performed at Newark's Science Park High School, featuring the New Jersey Symphony Gospel Chorus. In January, Music Director Xian Zhang conducts the 2025 Lunar New Year Celebration Concert, the Year of the Snake. Pianist Min Kwon joins the orchestra on stage, as well as two choruses- Peking University Alumni Chorus and Starry Arts Children's Chorus.
Family Concerts
Concerts designed for children will be featured in the season, including the annual A Gospel Holiday concert spotlighting celebrated artists from Newark and beyond. This community concert is performed at Newark's Science Park High School and features the New Jersey Symphony Gospel Chorus. In May, the Symphony will present Discover Mozart & Bach, where children (and adults!) can discover what makes a live orchestraconcert so special, with a deep dive into two joyous works by these legendary composers. The "Discover" series is inspired by Leonard Bernstein's masterfulway ofputtingyoungaudiencesatthecenterof music-making.
Summer Concerts
This summer, the New Jersey Symphony will present as part of its 2023-24 season which began in September 2023 and runs through August 2024-a full slate of outdoor and indoor summer concerts, including concerts at parks and community centers throughout the state. An announcement of the summer concert schedule will be made in mid-April 2024. The 2024-25 season summer concerts will be announced in spring 2025.
Tickets and Subscriptions
Subscriptions are now on sale for the 2024–25 season. Patrons can choose from curated packages at a specific venue or create their own series of concerts throughout the state. Full information on ticket packages for each series and venue is available at njsymphony.org/subscribe; subscriptions are available for purchase online or by phone at 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476). Single tickets will go on sale in August.
The 2024–25 Season
Season Opening Gala & Concert
Voice of Nature: the Anthropocene with Renée Fleming
Includes National Geographic Society visuals!
Newark→ Sunday, Oct 6, 3 pm
Xian Zhang conductor
Renée Fleming soprano
A breathtaking start to the 2024–25 season with international superstar Renée Fleming.
As fall colors flare, America’s most celebrated soprano adds the exquisite hues of her own voice to this concert, inspired by her 2023 Grammy Award-winning album, Voice of Nature: the Anthropocene. This special performance spans classical, romantic and contemporary music, exploring nature as both inspiration and victim of humanity. Come be immersed in the majesty of nature, as the music will be accompanied by a stunning film by the National Geographic Society.
Opening Weekend: Xian Conducts Scheherazade
Princeton → Friday, Nov 1, 8 pm
Red Bank → Saturday, Nov 2, 8 pm
Newark → Sunday, Nov 3, 3 pm
Xian Zhang conductor
Inon Barnatan piano
Gabriela Ortiz Kauyumari
Mexico’s most celebrated composer today created her Kauyumari based on an ancient rite of her homeland, which starts with a whisper and becomes a whirling, joyous dance.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Piano Concerto No. 17
Mozart at his sunniest, and pianist Inon Barnatan turns this elegant piece into poetry with his “penetrating musicianship” (BBC Music).
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade
Rimsky-Korsakov’s heroine Scheherazade—here in the voice of the solo violin—tells tale after tale of adventure, beginning aboard the pirate Sinbad’s storm-tossed ship.
Paquito D’Rivera with New Jersey Symphony
Part of the TD James Moody Jazz Festival
Newark → Thursday, Nov 7, 1:30 pm
Newark → Friday, Nov 8, 8 pm
Morristown → Sunday, Nov 10, 3 pm
Carlos Miguel Prieto conductor
Paquito D’Rivera guest artist & co-curator
Paquito D’Rivera Quintet
George Gershwin/Paquito D’Rivera Medley for Jazz Quintet and Orchestra
As the fall chill gathers, how about some “Summertime”? Paquito D’Rivera, his phenomenal Quintet and the New Jersey Symphony spin a medley of Gershwin’s unforgettable hits.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart/Paquito D’Rivera Adagio on a Mozart Theme
Paquito D’Rivera puts his own signature jazzy swing on this enchanting theme from the middle movement of Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto.
Daniel Freiberg Latin American Chronicles
It’s all here in Freiberg’s delicious jazz concerto: lush and intimate music for D’Rivera’s soulful clarinet one moment, and jaw-dropping virtuosity the next.
Carlos Chávez Symphony No. 2, “Sinfonía India”
Mexico’s Chávez scored a global hit with his Second Symphony, based on the power of his country’s folk melodies.
Aaron Copland El Salón México
Brooklyn-born Copland loved to travel, and one night in Mexico City Carlos Chavez brought him to a dance hall that was bubbling with joy. Back home, Copland poured it all into this music.
Arturo Márquez Danzón No. 2
This will ring a bell for “Mozart in the Jungle” fans. Featured in Season Two, Márquez’s Danzón guarantees your feet gotta move.
José Pablo Moncayo Huapango
It starts so quietly you may miss it, then becomes a locomotive of delight filled with bright Mexican folk tunes.
The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert
Morristown → Thursday, Dec 5, 7:30 pm
Red Bank → Friday, Dec 6, 7:30 pm
Newark→ Saturday, Dec 7, 3 pm
New Brunswick → Sunday, Dec 8, 3 pm
Constantine Kitsopoulos conductor
The New Jersey Symphony presents Disney’s The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert featuring a screening of the complete film with the musical score performed live to picture. The Muppets perform Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale, with Kermit the Frog playing Bob Cratchit, the put-upon clerk of stingy Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine), and features many more of your favorite Muppet characters. This special holiday event is fun for the whole family!
Presentation Licensed by Disney Concerts.
December 8 performance presented in collaboration with State Theatre New Jersey.
A Gospel Holiday
Newark→ Saturday, Dec 14, 2 pm Science Park High School
New Jersey Symphony Gospel Chorus
Spotlighting celebrated artists from Newark and beyond, the New Jersey Symphony lauds the power of the first instrument—the human voice—with a gospel music-inspired holiday extravaganza. Come ready to sing, dance and clap along!
Handel’s Messiah
Princeton → Friday, Dec 20, 8 pm Richardson Auditorium in Princeton
Princeton → Saturday, Dec 21, 8 pm Richardson Auditorium in Princeton
Newark → Sunday, Dec 22, 7 pm Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart
Jeannette Sorrell conductor
Sonya Headlam soprano
John Holiday countertenor
Ed Lyon tenor
Kevin Deas bass-baritone
Montclair University Singers | Heather J. Buchanan, director
George Frideric Handel Messiah
Spirits will soar at “Lift Up Your Heads” and the “Hallelujah Chorus” as well as the treasured arias that make Handel’s Messiah the must-hear classic of the holidays. Jeannette Sorrell, who “brings revelations” (Philadelphia Inquirer) to everything she conducts, leads the New Jersey Symphony and phenomenal Montclair University Singers.
Jean-Yves Thibaudet Plays Ravel
Newark → Thursday, Jan 9, 1:30 pm
Princeton → Friday, Jan 10, 8 pm
Newark → Saturday, Jan 11, 8 pm
New Brunswick → Sunday, Jan 12, 3 pm
Kevin John Edusei conductor
Jean-Yves Thibaudet piano
Donghoon Shin Of Rats and Men
Come hear what audiences in London, Helsinki, and Dresden have all been delighted by from one of the most imaginative young composers today, Korea’s Donghoon Shin.
Maurice Ravel Piano Concerto in G
Ravel’s Concerto is both jazzy and touching, and no pianist makes it swing and sing like the incomparable Jean-Yves Thibaudet.
Jean Sibelius Symphony No. 2
A showpiece for virtuoso orchestra, the final moments alone are worth the ticket as the New Jersey Symphony’s trumpets blaze forth in glory.
2025 Lunar New Year Celebration Concert with Xian Zhang
Newark → Saturday, Jan 25, 7:30 pm
Xian Zhang conductor
Min Kwon piano
Peking University Alumni Chorus
Starry Arts Children’s Chorus | Rebecca Shin, director
Join us for this evening of community and cultural exchange that is wonderful for families and children, as we celebrate the Year of the Snake. Music Director Xian Zhang, pianist Min Kwon, Peking University Alumni Chorus and Starry Arts Children’s Chorus all return for this joyous concert.
Holst’s The Planets—An HD Odyssey
New Brunswick → Thursday, Jan 30, 7:30 pm
Newark → Friday, Jan 31, 8 pm
Newark → Saturday, Feb 1, 8 pm
Morristown → Sunday, Feb 2, 3 pm
Xian Zhang conductor
Nancy Zhou violin
Montclair State University Prima Voce | Heather J. Buchanan, Director
Caroline Shaw The Observatory
Shaw’s luminous concert-opener was inspired by scientists who study the night sky’s deepest reaches.
Ralph Vaughan Williams The Lark Ascending
Hailed by music lovers everywhere year after year as a desert-island necessity, The Lark Ascending is a wonder of flight in sound.
Gustav Holst The Planets—An HD Odyssey
While Holst’s orchestral spectacular works its magic in the ear, a giant screen over the stage becomes a canvas for NASA’s jaw-dropping images. A feast for the soul.
Warner Bros. Discovery Presents Bugs Bunny at the Symphony
30th Anniversary Concert
Red Bank → Friday, Feb 14, 8 pm
Newark → Saturday, Feb 15, 8 pm
New Brunswick → Sunday, Feb 16, 3 pm
George Daughert
George Daugherty & David Ka Lik Wong creators
New Jersey Symphony
Bugs Bunny at the Symphony is back! Celebrate Looney Tunes and its legendary stars, including Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, Sylvester, Wile E. Coyote, Road Runner and, of course, Bugs Bunny, our very favorite “wascally wabbit.” Enjoy classics including “Baton Bunny,” “The Rabbit of Seville” and “What’s Opera, Doc?” alongside Warner Bros. Discovery 3D theatrical shorts “Rabid Rider,” “Coyote Falls” and “Fur of Flying.” Don’t miss these extraordinary musical scores performed live by the New Jersey Symphony as all the action unfolds on the big screen.
More information on the program is available at www.bugsbunnyatthesymphony.net
February 16 performance presented in collaboration with State Theatre New Jersey.
LOONEY TUNES and all related characters and elements © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (s24)
Brahms and Chopin
Newark → Thursday, Feb 20, 1:30 pm
Red Bank → Saturday, Feb 22, 8 pm
New Brunswick → Sunday, Feb 23, 3 pm
Christoph König conductor
Tony Siqi Yun piano
Allison Loggins-Hull Can You See?
Originally written for the New Jersey Symphony Chamber Players and now re-written for full orchestra, Can You See? is cool and glassy on its surface, but the waters underneath are rolling in this tour-de-force concert opener by the Symphony’s new Resident Artistic Partner.
Frédéric Chopin Piano Concerto No. 1
One of the most astonishing creations of any 19-year-old, Chopin poured beyond-his-years splendor into his First Concerto, and it has stayed an audience favorite around the world for 200 years.
Johannes Brahms Symphony No. 1
A König specialty, Brahms’ First was decades in the making—but oh, it became a triumph of drama and soaring lyricism well worth the wait.
The Firebird with Xian Zhang
Featuring Nimbus Dance
Newark → Friday, Mar 7, 8 pm
Red Bank → Saturday, Mar 8, 8 pm
Newark→ Sunday, Mar 9, 3 pm
Xian Zhang conductor
Jonathan Spitz cello
Nimbus Dance | Samuel Pott, artistic director & choreographer
Johann Sebastian Bach Prelude from Cello Suite No. 2
Behold the majesty and wonder of solo Bach, as Principal Cello Jonathan Spitz spins this mesmerizing theme from thin air.
Caroline Shaw Valencia
The valencia orange, described as “a thing of nature so simple, yet so complex and extraordinary” inspired this expertly-crafted string quartet.
Qasim Naqvi God Docks at Death Harbor (Piano Quintet Version)
Naqvi calls this piece “a vision of our planet years from now…the quiet and peacefulness of a world restoring itself.” Nimbus Dance joins with brand new choreography, titled “Dark Water.”
Igor StravinskyDivertimento from The Fairy’s Kiss
Stravinsky was one of the 20th century’s musical revolutionaries, but he loved the Romantics like Tchaikovsky, and created this charming and lilting Divertimento after him.
Igor Stravinsky Suite from The Firebird
A tale of a deathless, tyrannical overlord in battle with a handsome young prince who’s aided by a magical bird. The Firebird has one of the most exciting finales in all classical music, brought to life here with Nimbus Dance at center stage for the Newark concerts.
Rachmaninoff Symphony No. 2
Newark → Thursday, Mar 13, 1:30 pm
Princeton → Friday, Mar 14, 8 pm
Newark → Saturday, Mar 15, 8 pm
Morristown → Sunday, Mar 16, 3 pm
Xian Zhang conductor
Xavier Foley double bass
Claude Debussy Clair de Lune
Debussy’s original piano solo, Clair de Lune, probably exists in more versions than the Beatles’ “Yesterday” and for good reason, as none before or since have captured in music the true magic of moonlight.
Xavier Foley Soul Bass for Double Bass and Orchestra
Sphinx competition-winner Xavier Foley is on a mission to put the double bass on the map as a virtuoso solo string instrument. In Soul Bass, he draws upon the sounds and styles of the long-running TV show “Soul Train” and showcases every bit of the enormous solo bass range with groove and style.
Xavier Foley New Work for Double Bass and Orchestra (World Premiere; NJ Symphony Commission)
After performing his own concerto, Soul Bass, Xavier Foley will dazzle in a brand-new showpiece to cap off the first half.
Sergei Rachmaninoff Symphony No. 2
Melodies too numerous and beautiful to track—so don’t try. Just let this sweeping Romantic symphony, the inspiration for the song “Never Gonna Fall in Love Again,” work its magic.
Vadim Gluzman Plays Brahms
New Brunswick → Thursday, Mar 20, 7:30 pm
Red Bank → Saturday, Mar 22, 8 pm
Newark → Sunday, Mar 23, 3 pm
Lina González-Granados conductor
Vadim Gluzman violin
Robert Schumann Overture, Scherzo and Finale
Bursting with a love of life in the months after his marriage to Clara, Robert Schumann created three fantastic movements–one shy of a full symphony but which stand magnificently on their own.
Gabriela Ortiz Clara
A fascinating depiction of the 19th-century composer-pianist Clara Schumann’s inner life as imagined by one of Mexico's leading contemporary composers.
Johannes Brahms Violin Concerto
A favorite of New Jersey Symphony audiences, Vadim Gluzman returns with his signature singing tone to play what Brahms began as simply “a few violin passages,” but turned into one of the greatest of all concertos–its tunefulness inspired by his hero Schumann.
Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with Xian Zhang
Newark → Thursday, Apr 3, 1:30 pm
Newark → Friday, Apr 4, 8 pm
Newark → Saturday, Apr 5, 8 pm
New Brunswick → Sunday, Apr 6, 3 pm
Xian Zhang conductor
Steven Banks saxophone
Felicia Moore soprano
Kelley O’Connor mezzo-soprano
Issachah Savage tenor
Reginald Smith Jr. baritone
Montclair State University Chorale | Heather J. Buchanan, Director
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Polonaise from Eugene Onegin
A lavish ball scene, the dashing hero and heroine twirling in splendor—a fun, festive dance lifted from Tchaikovsky’s opera.
Billy Childs Saxophone Concerto
Inspired by Maya Angelou and other poets, Childs’ new concerto was written for the amazing Steven Banks, who says the music “follows the trajectory of the Black experience from Africa before slave trade to now, going forward in hope.”
Ludwig van BeethovenSymphony No. 9, “Choral”
The sheer volcanic power of Beethoven’s music makes the Ninth’s message soar. “Brotherhood! Joy!”—our world needs these clarion calls now more than ever.
The appearance of vocalists Felicia Moore, Kelley O’Connor, Issachah Savage and Reginald Smith Jr. is generously supported by Lisa and Matthew Winkler.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens in Concert
Morristown → Thursday, Apr 10, 7:30 pm
Red Bank → Friday, Apr 11, 8 pm
Newark → Saturday, Apr 12, 8 pm
New Brunswick → Sunday, Apr 13, 3 pm
Thirty years after the defeat of the Empire, Luke Skywalker has vanished, and a new threat has risen: The First Order, led by the mysterious Supreme Leader Snoke and his enforcer, Kylo Ren. General Leia Organa’s military force, the Resistance—and unlikely heroes brought together by fate—are the galaxy’s only hope. Experience the complete film with the New Jersey Symphony performing John Williams’ thrilling score live.
© 2015 & TM Lucasfilm Ltd.
Presentation licensed by Disney Concerts in association with 20th Century Fox
Film Corp, Lucasfilm and Warner/Chappell Music. © All rights reserved.
Rated PG-13.
April 13 performance presented in collaboration with State Theatre New Jersey.
Xian Conducts Mozart
New Jersey Symphony musicians take the spotlight!
Princeton → Friday, May 16, 8 pm
Newark → Saturday, May 17, 8 pm
Newark→ Sunday, May 18, 3 pm
Xian Zhang conductor
Eric Wyrick violin
Francine Storck violin
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Eine kleine Nachtmusik
Mozart may have tossed this off for a Viennese party one evening, but there is no piece more charming and beguiling than his “little night music.”
Johann Sebastian Bach Double Concerto for Two Violins
The spotlight’s on our two superstar principal violins, Eric Wyrick and Francine Storck, in perhaps the most beautiful duet ever created.
Michael Abels Delights and Dances
Delight in this imaginative, bluesy work for solo string quartet and string orchestra, with New Jersey Symphony’s own musicians taking the spotlight in a series of captivating solos.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Symphony No. 35, “Haffner”
Mozart had intended to jot down a little occasional piece, but brilliant music kept pouring out of his pen until he’d made a dazzling full-fledged symphony, one of his best.
Discover Mozart & Bach
New Jersey Symphony Family Concert
Newark → Saturday, May 17, 2 pm
Xian Zhang conductor
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Eine kleine Nachtmusik
Johann Sebastian Bach Double Concerto for Two Violins
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Symphony No. 35, “Haffner”
Discover what makes a live orchestra concert so special. We’ll take a deep dive into two joyous works by Mozart, as well as J.S. Bach’s incredibly famous Double Concerto for Two Violins. Inspired by Leonard Bernstein’s masterful way of putting young audiences at the center of music-making, this interactive concert will feature inside tips, listening cues and fun facts that make for the perfect Saturday afternoon family outing!
This will be a Relaxed Performance, designed to accommodate the differing needs of our patrons. We encourage you and your families to bring your own sensory manipulatives, noise reduction headphones and other necessary tools that will allow you to react and enjoy the music in a way that is most natural for you! If you are someone who enjoys silence in a concert hall, this performance might not be for you. More information on the resources we will have in place pre-concert and during the performance will be available soon.
Discover Mozart & Bach Family Concert is presented in NJPAC's Prudential Hall.
Season Finale: Rachmaninoff and Shostakovich
Morristown → Thursday, June 5, 7:30 pm
Princeton → Friday, June 6, 8 pm
Red Bank → Saturday, June 7, 8 pm
Newark → Sunday, June 8, 3 pm
Xian Zhang conductor
Conrad Tao piano
Sergei Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2
No piece has introduced and won more people to classical music than Rachmaninoff’s magnificent work for piano and orchestra.
Dmitri Shostakovich Symphony No. 5
When Shostakovich’s Fifth received a half-hour standing ovation at its premiere, the world knew that a classic was born—and it remains a landmark work for the virtuoso orchestra.