#TBT: ‘Xian Zhang burst onto the stage like a firecracker’
Xian Zhang burst onto the stage like a firecracker—her body seeming to pulsate with power and rhythm, her arms exploding in swiftly controlled gestures, and just as quickly, everything subsided into cool, clear-skied calm.
— The Star-Ledger, January 2010
Starting next Thursday, new Music Director Xian Zhang conducts her first NJSO performances as the Orchestra’s artistic leader. While these next two weeks of concerts mark the official start of her tenure, Zhang has been inspiring NJSO audiences, critics and musicians with her musicality and leadership since her very first appearance with the Orchestra in January 2010.
On #ThrowbackThursday, we look back at Star-Ledger highlights from her journey with the NJSO:
The Star-Ledger’s rave review of Zhang’s NJSO debut shows how powerful the conductor’s first impression was: “Xian Zhang burst onto the stage like a firecracker—her body seeming to pulsate with power and rhythm, her arms exploding in swiftly controlled gestures, and just as quickly, everything subsided into cool, clear-skied calm.”
The newspaper has followed the conductor’s relationship with the Orchestra, praising her musicality and calling her 2012 return performances “awe inspiring.”
“Zhang was at once commanding and exuberant, occasionally jumping or bending sharply at the waist to spur on the orchestra but often remaining fairly still—a riveting, dancer-like presence completely in the service of music, not showmanship.”
— The Star-Ledger, February 2012
Zhang again inspired in her third guest appearance with the NJSO in May 2015. The Star-Ledger hailed her as “a thrilling leader who has already established a strong rapport with the orchestra.”
“Zhang once again proved a thrilling leader who has already established a strong rapport with the orchestra … her innate musicality and ability to communicate intention with clarity invested every gesture. Nothing seemed extraneous or glossed over, even as her whole body seemed to contract and release with explosive energy.”
— The Star-Ledger, May 2015
The Star-Ledger wrote at the time, that, “based on three concerts with the orchestra—not to mention a stellar reputation—there’s reason to hope that one particular guest artist will take up the post [as the NJSO’s next Music Director]: Xian Zhang.”
That hope was realized when the NJSO named Zhang its next leader last fall. Reviewing her appearance this April as a “sneak preview” of her Music Director tenure, The Star-Ledger wrote that Zhang “won over the crowd with both her remarks and her musicianship. And like any good trailer or overture, it left you wanting more.”
“So as a trailer—or overture—to the Xian Zhang era of the New Jersey Symphony, which starts later this year, the Chinese maestra's concerts this weekend must be seen as a success ... A good music director isn't just a conductor; she's also a communicator and a leader.”
— The Star-Ledger, April 2016
Now, the “Xian Zhang era” the newspaper eagerly anticipated is about to begin.
Zhang conducts a trio of Tchaikovsky scores—Symphony No. 5, Piano Concerto No. 1 and Polonaise from Eugene Onegin—October 27–30 in Newark, Princeton, New Brunswick and Morristown. Pianist Simon Trpčeski joins the Orchestra for Tchaikovsky’s concerto.
She leads a program featuring Beethoven’s Triple Concerto, Haydn’s Symphony No. 102 and Adagio from Piano Trio No. 40 and Strauss’ Suite from Der Rosenkavalier, November 3–6 in Englewood and Newark. The Beethoven concerto features NJSO Concertmaster Eric Wyrick, Principal Cello Jonathan Spitz and pianist Pedja Muzijevic.
» View concert details and purchase tickets
» Read press and see highlights from Zhang’s April week with the Orchestra
Music Director Xian Zhang in the news
» Tune in to WWFM (89.1 FM or www.wwfm.org) tonight, Oct 20, at 10 pm to hear an interview with Zhang!
» The New York Times anticipates debut of ‘charismatic’ Xian Zhang
» U.S. 1 previews arrival of ‘vibrant’ Xian Zhang
» The Star-Ledger features NJSO in fall arts preview
» Princeton Magazine features Xian Zhang on September cover
» Newark Happening: Xian Zhang to debut as NJSO Music Director
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Watch a behind-the-scenes “State of the Arts” feature on Zhang and her NJSO arrival, filmed during her week with the Orchestra in April: