Rick Steves’ Europe:
A Symphonic Journey
A Musical Journey of Rick Steves’ Travels Through Europe and its History
Rick Steves host
Nicholas Hersh conductor
New Jersey Symphony
Usually you’ll find Rick Steves touring the great destinations of Europe. Now you can join him on a different journey: A Symphonic Journey. In this unique concert, Rick Steves travels to Morristown and New Brunswick and teams up with the New Jersey Symphony for a performance that combines Europe’s most stirring romantic-era anthems with beautiful high-definition cinematography and Rick’s insights into European history.
Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances
Part of the TD James Moody Jazz Festival
Eric Jacobsen conductor
Christian McBride double bass
Chris Komer horn
New Jersey Symphony
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Claude Debussy Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun
A languid flute solo opens a portal into another world, with Debussy’s shimmering orchestral colors as vivid as any Monet painting.
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George Duke Dark Wood: Bass Concerto for Christian McBride
Hear the Garden State’s own jazz master in a work tailor-made for his unique groove and virtuosity as he solos with the New Jersey Symphony for the first time.
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Christian McBride Fried Bacon
Christian McBride’s first work for symphony orchestra, Fried Bacon was originally written for and premiered by Chris Komer, New Jersey Symphony Principal Horn extraordinaire, in 2022. The world premiere brought the house down and we can’t wait to play it again.
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Sergei Rachmaninoff Symphonic Dances
An elegiac melody, a Dies Irae quote, a saxophone solo, and the tolling of church bells are among the many extraordinary effects in Rachmaninoff’s final work, written in exile from a Russia to which he’d never return, and which would never be the same.
New Jersey Ballet’s The Nutcracker with New Jersey Symphony
Presented by New Jersey Ballet
Brent Chancellor conductor (for December 11–13 & 18–20 concerts)
Ricardo Ferro conductor (for December 24, 26 & 27 concerts)
New Jersey Ballet
New Jersey Symphony
New Jersey Ballet’s beloved annual tradition enchants youngsters and grown-ups alike with splendid dancing, eye-popping special effects and a touch of holiday magic, set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score performed live by the New Jersey Symphony.
Pytor Ilyich Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker
Based on The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E.T.A. Hoffman
Handel’s Messiah
New Jersey Symphony Holiday Tradition
Kedrick Armstrong conductor
Jessica Rivera soprano
Kelley O’Connor mezzo-soprano
Martin Bakari tenor
Kevin Short bass-baritone
Montclair State University Singers | Heather J. Buchanan, director
New Jersey Symphony
“For unto us a Child is born.” Our glorious holiday tradition returns with this iconic masterpiece, a classical rendition of the greatest story ever told. The majestic music—including the triumphant “Hallelujah Chorus”—rekindles the spirit of the holidays for first-time listeners and those who return each season.
Mozart & Ravel
New Jersey Symphony Classical
Valentina Peleggi conductor
Blake Pouliot violin
New Jersey Symphony
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Anna Clyne Masquerade
Originally written for the Last Night of the Proms, English composer Anna Clyne conveys a sense of “occasion and celebration.” Or, as the Berkshire Eagle put it, “Masquerade has the style and sound of an old English music hall, a little like the nostalgic sounds on Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.”
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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Violin Concerto No. 5, “Turkish”
At just 19 years old, Mozart wrote this virtuosic and sparkling concerto for himself to play (even though it wasn’t his primary instrument!). Canadian phenom Blake Pouliot brings his signature stage presence to this equally thrilling and elegant masterpiece.
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Maurice Ravel Mother Goose Suite
The New York Times recently said “Ravel wrote nothing more magical, and perhaps nothing so moving” as the final movement of this extraordinary suite—ostensibly for children, but with a complexity and emotional depth as profound as any work of art.
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Samuel Barber Symphony No. 1
In just 20 minutes and one movement, Barber’s First Symphony packs a punch well beyond its relatively short length. The first American symphony to be played at the Salzburg Festival, Barber’s singular emotional voice, which would later produce Adagio for Strings, shines through every bar.
Rhapsody on a
Theme of Paganini
New Jersey Symphony Classical
Xian Zhang conductor
Tony Siqi Yun piano
New Jersey Symphony
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Richard Wagner Overture to Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg
Long before The Voice, Wagner created the original drama about a singing competition with his only comedy, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg. This rousing overture prominently features the “Prize Song” which wins the whole contest—a real catchy tune!
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Sergei Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
Rachmaninoff’s final work for piano and orchestra, this masterpiece of invention transforms a seemingly simple melody 24 different times, taking full advantage of the expressive and technical possibilities of the piano. Rachmaninoff himself was the soloist at the world premiere—hear the next best thing as “true poet of the keyboard” (Pianist magazine) Tony Siqi Yun navigates every twist and turn.
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Alexander Zemlinsky The Mermaid
Travel “Under the Sea” with Alexander Zemlinsky for his shimmering musical retelling of the legendary Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale. While a relative rarity, Xian Zhang has long championed this work, reveling in its romantic sweep and glittering orchestrations—you’ll wonder why it took so long for this piece to be “Part of Your World.”
Discover Rachmaninoff
New Jersey Symphony Family Concert
Xian Zhang conductor
Bill Barclay host
Tony Siqi Yun piano
New Jersey Symphony
What is a rhapsody, and who was Paganini? Unlock the mystery of the musical puzzle in this roller coaster ride for piano and orchestra, demonstrated by the extraordinary talent of Tony Siqi Yun.
2027 Lunar New Year Celebration
Celebration of the Year of the Goat
Naomi Woo conductor
Sophia Liu piano
New Jersey Symphony
Naomi Woo, Assistant Conductor of The Philadelphia Orchestra, leads a festive evening that unites symphonic works, choral music, and dance. Experience amazing talent, vibrant energy, and a grand spectacle designed to delight audiences of all ages—a joyous celebration of renewal and community.
Gil Shaham Plays Dvořák
New Jersey Symphony Classical
Xian Zhang conductor
Gil Shaham violin
New Jersey Symphony
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Johannes Brahms Symphony No. 3
Dvořák called this symphony Brahms’ most beautiful. A deeply personal work, its autumnal harmonies embody the composer’s personal motto, “free, but happy.” Orchestral musicians regularly call Brahms the most satisfying composer to play—with this masterpiece, it’s easy to hear why.
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Antonín Dvořák Violin Concerto
Full of folk flavor and rustic rhythms, Dvořák’s only violin concerto is fiendishly difficult. “A virtuoso and a player of deeply intense sincerity” (The New York Times), Gil Shaham makes it sound easy.
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Antonín Dvořák Carnival Overture
A musical celebration of life and all its joys and possibilities, this delightful bonbon of an overture is the perfect dessert at the end of our program.
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl in Concert
New Jersey Symphony at the Movies
Lawrence Loh conductor
New Jersey Symphony
This fantasy swashbuckler film follows pirate Jack Sparrow and the blacksmith Will Turner as they attempt to rescue the kidnapped Elizabeth Swann. The trio encounters Captain Barbossa and the Black Pearl crew who are afflicted by a supernatural curse. Klaus Badelt’s score—performed live to picture by the New Jersey Symphony—thrums with excitement and adventure.
Batman Returns in Concert
35th Anniversary Concert | New Jersey Symphony at the Movies
New Jersey Symphony
Grab your superhero cape and come out to see Batman Returns in Concert (PG-13). Watch Tim Burton’s Oscar-nominated film on the big screen, accompanied by the New Jersey Symphony performing Danny Elfman’s phenomenal score. It’s a madcap adventure as Batman battles The Penguin and meets his match in Catwoman. The cast is stacked with greats: Michael Keaton, Michelle Pfeiffer, Danny DeVito and Christopher Walken. We’ll meet you in Gotham City!
Joshua Bell Leads Beethoven
Commemorating the 200th Anniversary of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Passing
Joshua Bell conductor & violin
New Jersey Symphony
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Ludwig van Beethoven Coriolan Overture
Beethoven captures turmoil and drama like few other composers. In this harrowing overture to a play set in Ancient Rome, hear the march to battle and the plea for peace in conflict with one another. Which wins out? Join us and see.
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Ludwig van Beethoven Violin Concerto
As if playing this difficult and profound work wasn’t enough, Joshua Bell also conducts from the soloist position. Among Beethoven’s most transcendent works, the violin soars and sings through the full range of human emotion.
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Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony No. 7
Richard Wagner called this symphony “the apotheosis of the dance.” Its slow movement was memorably used in the Oscar-winning film The King’s Speech. Over 200 years later, Beethoven’s masterpiece still moves and inspires.