Opening Night Celebration 2019
Location: New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark
Opening Weekend: Holst’s The Planets in HD
2019–20 Season
XIAN ZHANG conductor
NEWARK VOICES
Heather J. Buchanan, conductor
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ELGAR Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1
At the dawn of the 20th century, Elgar summed up the pride and power of the English with this march; its later use as a graduation theme made him a household name far beyond Britain.
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SARAH KIRKLAND SNIDER Hiraeth (with film by Mark DeChiazza) (NJSO Premiere)
The New Jersey-based composer was inspired by the Welsh word for nostalgia for this innovative work, touching music commissioned alongside an equally moving film.
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HOLST The Planets—An HD Odyssey (with film)
The myths and astrological meanings of our heavenly neighbors moved Holst to create his masterpiece. The work gathers a new depth accompanied by jaw-dropping NASA visuals. Produced by Duncan Copp.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince™ in Concert
2019–20 Season
Watch Harry become a wiz at potions, win Felix Felicis and uncover the meaning of Horcruxes in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince™ in Concert! Relive the magic of Harry’s sixth year at Hogwarts™ on the big screen in high definition as the NJSO performs Nicholas Hooper’s unforgettable score live.
Grieg’s Piano Concerto
MARKUS STENZ conductor
JUHO POHJONEN piano
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REBEL “Chaos” from Les élémens (NJSO Premiere)
Louis XIV’s favorite composer, Rebel stunned the king in the 1730s with this depiction of creation that incorporated harmonies 200 years ahead of their time.
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GRIEG Piano Concerto
Iconic opening chords herald an eternal favorite. Grieg poured the exquisite beauty of Norwegian fjords and folksongs into his only concerto.
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BRAHMS Symphony No. 2
Brahms’ symphonies are cherished for their expression of a profound depth of human feeling. His Second radiates warmth and joy, with soaring strings, singable melodies and a thrilling finale of blazing brass.
Spanish- and French-Inspired Showpieces
2019–20 Season
XIAN ZHANG conductor
NING FENG violin
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RIMSKY-KORSAKOV Capriccio espagnol
Inspired by Spanish dance, Russia’s Rimsky-Korsakov turns a brilliant solo spotlight on members of the orchestra.
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QIGANG CHEN La joie de la souffrance for Violin and Orchestra (US Premiere and NJSO Co-Commission)
“The Joy of Suffering” explores the composer’s view that joy and suffering are “a matter of ‘Yin’ and ‘Yang’, inseparable and hence all things should contain both. Like loss and gain, they are bound to balance out.”
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SAINT-SAËNS Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso
A soulful start prepares the listener for a heartbreaking piece—then fireworks erupt. The soloist’s left hand blurs on the fingerboard, and the bowings require an elite athlete’s stamina and grace. Only the best violinists like Feng can make this piece sing.
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FALLA Suite No. 2 from The Three-Cornered Hat
From the ballet stage comes this lighthearted Spanish tale filled with the rhythm and seduction of the dancing it is meant to accompany.
Family: Peter and the Wolf
2019–20 Season Family Series
Join the NJSO and a guest narrator for this timeless fairy tale, in which charming melodies and fantastical characters introduce the different instruments of the orchestra.
Meet the New Musicians
NJSO welcomes new musicians in the 2019–20 season
NJSO Music Director Xian Zhang says: “I am thrilled to welcome so many talented musicians to the NJSO. It is an inspiring time for the Orchestra with several new principals, assistant principals and our first NJSO Colton Fellow. I am very much looking forward to collaborating with our new colleagues.”
Hear the NJSO at NJPAC
The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra brings world-class music to Newark. Experience the NJSO at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC)!