Opening Night Celebration
Dinner Prelude, Concert and After-Party
Join us for the start of the New Jersey Symphony’s enthralling 2023–24 season in an event that will celebrate the pathbreaking art of Black composers past and present. Guests will enjoy a dinner prelude, concert with Robert Spano and Aaron Diehl and a fun after-party.
Ellington & Dvořák: New Worlds
Opening Weekend! New Jersey Symphony Classical
Robert Spano conductor
Aaron Diehl piano
Aaron Diehl Trio
New Jersey Symphony
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Valerie Coleman Umoja
Coleman starts the season with a whisper, then a gorgeous melody rises evoking the power and sweetness of Umoja, the Swahili word for unity. The whole orchestra takes it up and you’re on the edge of your seat with this joyous, full-throated cry for community.
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Still Out of the Silence
A wedding present for his bride, Still’s Out of the Silence, brought out of silence by Aaron Diehl and the New Jersey Symphony, is a gentle and ethereal little hymn written in the depths of the Great Depression. Still’s wife said of it: “Only in meditation does one discover beauties remote from the problems of Earth.”
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Ellington New World A-Comin’
Ellington created this lush musical portrait of a “new world where there would be no war, no greed—where love was unconditional.” What better way to start the season than with the Aaron Diehl Trio and the genius of jazz, Sir Duke!
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Dvořák Symphony No. 9, “From the New World”
A Czech visitor to America, Dvořák sought out and loved the songs of Indigenous and Black people. Blending their inspiration with his imagination, he created one of the most beloved concert works of all time.
Schumann’s Cello Concerto
New Jersey Symphony Classical
Joseph Young conductor
Sterling Elliott cello
New Jersey Symphony
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Jessie Montgomery Snapshots (New Jersey Symphony Co-Commission)
The BBC called Jessie Montgomery “one of the most distinctive and communicative voices in the U.S.,” and the New Jersey Symphony gives the East Coast debut of her new work, Snapshots.
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R. Schumann Cello Concerto
Heart-on-sleeve music, one gorgeous melody after another soaring from Sterling Elliott’s cello. The New Jersey Symphony backs him up with Schumann’s richest Romantic harmonies.
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Elgar Enigma Variations
Edward Elgar loved to spend his evenings bashing away at his upright piano, chomping on a cigar, making up tunes. This is how he created a kaleidoscopic set of variations on a mysterious melody—all of which made him a household name across the land.
Jurassic Park in Concert
New Jersey Symphony at the Movies
Constantine Kitsopoulos conductor
New Jersey Symphony
This action-packed adventure pits man against prehistoric predators in the ultimate battle for survival. Featuring visually stunning imagery and groundbreaking special effects, this epic film is sheer movie magic 65 million years in the making.
Welcome … to Jurassic Park!
Joshua Bell Leads the New Jersey Symphony
New Jersey Symphony Classical
Joshua Bell conductor and violin
New Jersey Symphony
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Mendelssohn Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream
When needing an example of “genius,” look no further than this astounding product of a 17-year-old boy. Here are the lovers, the silliness and the quicksilver humor of Shakespeare’s comedy delivered in a dozen minutes of utter brilliance.
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Mendelssohn Violin Concerto
The violin leads the drama from the first bar of Mendelssohn’s masterpiece, but here too are moments of hold-your-breath beauty. These shimmer like moonlight on water when played by Joshua Bell, one of the world’s finest violinists.
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Beethoven Symphony No. 4
He could stir up musical storm clouds like a god, but Beethoven also could part them to let the most brilliant sunlight warm the soul. The Fourth is the composer at his sunniest, and Joshua Bell, violin still in hand, leads the New Jersey Symphony from the concertmaster’s seat.
New Jersey Ballet’s Nutcracker with New Jersey Symphony
52nd Anniversary - Presented by New Jersey Ballet
Constantine Kitsopoulos conductor
New Jersey Ballet
New Jersey Symphony
The 52nd annual rendition of a seasonal favorite that enchants youngsters and grown-ups alike, including splendid dancing, live orchestra, eye-popping special effects and a touch of holiday magic.
Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker
Based on The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E.T.A. Hoffman
Handel’s Messiah
New Jersey Symphony Holiday Tradition
Nicholas McGegan conductor
Sherezade Panthaki soprano
Key’mon W. Murrah countertenor
Thomas Cooley tenor
Tyler Duncan baritone
Montclair State University Singers | Heather J. Buchanan, director
New Jersey Symphony
Join us as the Symphony performs this great holiday tradition! Nicholas McGegan will conduct Handel’s incomparable classic Messiah. Joining McGegan and the musicians will be the talented singers of Montclair State University, who will delight audiences as they sing the glorious “Hallelujah Chorus.”
Beethoven’s Violin Concerto with Augustin Hadelich
New Jersey Symphony Classical
Xian Zhang conductor
Augustin Hadelich violin
New Jersey Symphony
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Daniel Bernard Roumain i am a white person who __ Black people
This provocative piece for strings and percussion opens the concert with the feeling of a tender hymn, then it quickens with an edgy energy. Another vital contribution by our Resident Artistic Catalyst.
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Beethoven Violin Concerto
When Augustin Hadelich performs, time stands still. It is his own brand of magic, how he makes a classic like Beethoven’s serenely beautiful Violin Concerto sound as if it was written yesterday, just for him.
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Mussorgsky/Ravel Pictures at an Exhibition
Mussorgsky poured out his feeling at the loss of a brilliant artist-friend in pieces originally meant for piano, and Ravel transferred these to an epic orchestral canvas using every imaginable color.
The American Dream
New Jersey Symphony Classical
Xian Zhang conductor
Rob Kapilow conductor (Jan 20 & 21 only)
JCC Young People’s Chorus @ Thurnauer | Emma Brondolo, artistic director (Jan 20 & 21 only)
Young People’s Chorus of New York City® | Francisco J. Núñez, artistic director and founder (Jan 20 & 21 only)
Ember Choral Arts | Deborah Simpkin King, artistic director (Jan 20 & 21 only)
New Jersey Symphony
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Still Darker America
Still wrote this in the 1920s to depict the struggles of his fellow African Americans, ultimately aiming to show “the triumph of a people over their sorrows through fervent prayer.” Tenderness and toughness mark this moving testament to resilience.
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Rob Kapilow We Came to America (World Premiere, Commissioned by the Thurnauer School of Music at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades) (Jan 20 & 21 only)
In this nation of immigrants, we all have our stories. Inspired by in-depth source research, interviews with generations of immigrants, and melodies from many countries, composer Rob Kapilow has crafted an instant classic of compelling music for chorus and orchestra. The concert on January 18 does not include Rob Kapilow and his piece We Came to America.
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Bernstein Three Dance Episodes from On the Town
The musical that gave the world “New York, New York,” On the Town was a hit from its wartime premiere. The story of three sailors on leave in Manhattan is filled with Bernstein’s signature restless energy, and made huge waves of its own in the 1940s with a racially diverse cast.
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Bernstein Symphonic Dances from West Side Story
The tragedy of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet set on Manhattan’s fire escapes and sidewalks. These Symphonic Dances from West Side Story are a fountain of songs you love, from “Tonight” to “Maria” and the manic shout of “Mambo!”
2024 Lunar New Year Celebration
Celebration of the Year of the Dragon
Yue Bao conductor
Tony Siqi Yun piano
New Jersey Symphony
The Symphony’s 2024 Lunar New Year celebration continues our tradition, first developed by Music Director Xian Zhang, of blending music from East and West in a celebration of cultural collaboration. This year under the baton of conductor Yue Bao, the Symphony will perform selections from Huang Ruo’s Folk Songs for Orchestra and Zhou Tian’s Gift, plus tried-and-true favorites like Spring Festival Overture. Rising star Tony Siqi Yun joins at the piano to perform selections from the Yellow River Concerto and Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G. You won’t want to miss this celebration to ring in the Year of the Dragon!
Respect: A Tribute to Aretha Franklin
New Jersey Symphony Special Concert - Symphony Celebration
Lucas Waldin conductor
Capathia Jenkins vocalist
Ryan Shaw vocalist
New Jersey Symphony
A tribute to the Queen of Soul, this program features symphony favorite Capathia Jenkins and three-time Grammy Award-nominee Ryan Shaw performing such iconic hits as “Respect,” “Think,” “A Natural Woman,” “Chain of Fools,” “Amazing Grace” and many others.
Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons
New Jersey Symphony Classical
Xian Zhang conductor
Robert Ingliss oboe
Eric Wyrick violin
New Jersey Symphony
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Reena Esmail RE|Member
Reena Esmail’s wildly colorful overture RE|Member came to life during the pandemic. What a joy, as it celebrates the regathering of musicians and has a fun bit of stage wizardry for oboe.
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R. Strauss Oboe Concerto
In the days right after World War II, with his beloved German homeland in rubble, many thought Richard Strauss’ composing pen had dried up. What a surprise when he created this gorgeous masterpiece for oboe, played here by our magnificent principal Robert Ingliss.
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Vivaldi The Four Seasons
Every mood and movement of the seasons is here, from sticky summer heat to slip-slidin’ on winter’s ice. Concertmaster Eric Wyrick’s virtuoso violin shines throughout.