Events & Tickets
POSTPONED: Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony
2019–20 Season
This concert has been rescheduled. More Info.
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BARTÓK Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta
A daring 20th-century masterpiece! Revel in the sounds of the NJSO strings, accentuated by keyboard and percussion—writing so evocative that Stanley Kubrick famously used it in The Shining.
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TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 5
Critics of Tchaikovsky’s day crushed this new symphony (“a horde of demons struggling in a torrent of brandy,” wrote one), and even the composer said, “It is a failure.” But its hypnotic melodies and triumphant mood turned the Fifth into an audience favorite.
RESCHEDULED: Star Wars: The Force Awakens in Concert
This concert has been rescheduled to March 2021
This concert has been rescheduled. More Info.
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BARTÓK Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta
A daring 20th-century masterpiece! Revel in the sounds of the NJSO strings, accentuated by keyboard and percussion—writing so evocative that Stanley Kubrick famously used it in The Shining.
-
TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 5
Critics of Tchaikovsky’s day crushed this new symphony (“a horde of demons struggling in a torrent of brandy,” wrote one), and even the composer said, “It is a failure.” But its hypnotic melodies and triumphant mood turned the Fifth into an audience favorite.
POSTPONED Brahms, Vivaldi & Beethoven
2019–20 Season
This concert has been postponed. More Info.
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BRAHMS Variations on a Theme by Haydn
Brahms reimagined an old German hymn tune in eight different ways, then wove these variations together into one breathtaking showpiece.
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VIVALDI Concerto for Two Violins in B-flat Major, RV 529
With Nicholas McGegan at the harpsichord, NJSO Assistant Concertmaster Adriana Rosin pairs up with 2018 Sphinx Competition winner Rubén Rengel for dazzling Vivaldi.
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VIVALDI Concerto for Violin and Cello in B-flat Major, RV 547
2015 Sphinx Competition winner Eduardo Rios partners with newly named NJSO Assistant Principal Cello Na-Young Baek for Baroque fireworks in this virtuosic showpiece.
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VIVALDI Concerto for Three Violins in F Major, RV 551
Both Sphinx winners and Rosin perform together in the give and take of Vivaldi’s brilliant melodies as if in sparkling conversation.
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BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 2
The program concludes with the sunniest of an often-stormy composer’s symphonies.
POSTPONED Family: The ‘New World’ Symphony & Beyond!
2019–20 Season Family Series
TONG CHEN conductor
RUBÉN RENGEL violin
NYGEL WITHERSPOON cello
Hear how the rich tapestry of America has inspired music of dizzying diversity—from Dvořák’s first encounters with the “New World,” to Florence Price and more!
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BRAHMS Variations on a Theme by Haydn
Brahms reimagined an old German hymn tune in eight different ways, then wove these variations together into one breathtaking showpiece.
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VIVALDI Concerto for Two Violins in B-flat Major, RV 529
With Nicholas McGegan at the harpsichord, NJSO Assistant Concertmaster Adriana Rosin pairs up with 2018 Sphinx Competition winner Rubén Rengel for dazzling Vivaldi.
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VIVALDI Concerto for Violin and Cello in B-flat Major, RV 547
2015 Sphinx Competition winner Eduardo Rios partners with newly named NJSO Assistant Principal Cello Na-Young Baek for Baroque fireworks in this virtuosic showpiece.
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VIVALDI Concerto for Three Violins in F Major, RV 551
Both Sphinx winners and Rosin perform together in the give and take of Vivaldi’s brilliant melodies as if in sparkling conversation.
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BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 2
The program concludes with the sunniest of an often-stormy composer’s symphonies.
Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto
2019–20 Season
ANDREY BOREYKO conductor
AKIKO SUWANAI violin
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MASON BATES Attack Decay Sustain Release (NJSO Premiere)
A four-minute joyride, with the strings and brass tumbling over each other, and a touch of groove inspired by Mason Bates’ love of electronic dance music.
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TCHAIKOVSKY Violin Concerto
Famous for blending elegance with fireworks, Suwanai performs one of the most beloved of all violin concertos.
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SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 10
For decades early in his career, Shostakovich was hounded and harassed by Soviet leader Josef Stalin. Shostakovich’s 10th was written just after Stalin’s death; it is a towering testament to resilience over tyranny.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 1 in Concert
2019–20 Season
The end begins. Harry, Ron and Hermione go hunting for Horcruxes in part one of the epic finale Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 1 in Concert. Relive every harrowing moment as Harry and his friends rush to face Voldemort for the last time, with the full film accompanied by the NJSO in an experience you’ll never forget.
Season Finale: Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 24
2019–20 Season
XIAN ZHANG conductor
LOUIS LORTIE piano
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BEETHOVEN Overture to Fidelio
Beethoven took four tries at this overture for his only opera—hear the final result, which captures joy and triumph as only his music can.
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MOZART Piano Concerto No. 24
After making a splash for our celebration of Beethoven’s 250th birthday, artist-in-residence Louis Lortie returns to play Mozart’s most dramatic piano concerto—famous for its interplay of woodwinds and piano. After hearing Mozart’s concerto for the first time, Beethoven said, “We shall never be able to do anything like it!”
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STRAVINSKY Divertimento from The Fairy’s Kiss
Based on a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, Stravinsky paid homage to Tchaikovsky with this delightful ballet music ful of spiky rhythms, graceful melodies and glittering orchestration.
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BARTÓK Suite from The Miraculous Mandarin
This masterpiece from Bartók was banned after its first performance but is now recognized as one of the 20th century’s most thrilling and evocative examples of the power of a live orchestra—full of violence, love, horror and wonder.
Danny Elfman’s Music from the Films of Tim Burton
Presented by New Jersey Performing Arts Center
Danny Elfman’s unforgettable music comes to life with a full choir and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, enhanced by Tim Burton’s vivid original sketches, drawings and film clips on the big screen.
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BEETHOVEN Overture to Fidelio
Beethoven took four tries at this overture for his only opera—hear the final result, which captures joy and triumph as only his music can.
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MOZART Piano Concerto No. 24
After making a splash for our celebration of Beethoven’s 250th birthday, artist-in-residence Louis Lortie returns to play Mozart’s most dramatic piano concerto—famous for its interplay of woodwinds and piano. After hearing Mozart’s concerto for the first time, Beethoven said, “We shall never be able to do anything like it!”
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STRAVINSKY Divertimento from The Fairy’s Kiss
Based on a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, Stravinsky paid homage to Tchaikovsky with this delightful ballet music ful of spiky rhythms, graceful melodies and glittering orchestration.
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BARTÓK Suite from The Miraculous Mandarin
This masterpiece from Bartók was banned after its first performance but is now recognized as one of the 20th century’s most thrilling and evocative examples of the power of a live orchestra—full of violence, love, horror and wonder.
Opening Weekend: Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony
Jennifer Koh performs a new violin concerto by Newark’s Tyshawn Sorey.
XIAN ZHANG conductor
JENNIFER KOH violin
- BEETHOVEN Wellington’s Victory
- TYSHAWN SOREY Work for Violin and Orchestra (World Premiere, NJSO Commission)
- BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 7
Zhang Conducts Mozart’s ‘Jupiter’
Also featuring NJSO principal musicians performing concertos!
XIAN ZHANG conductor
BART FELLER flute
JONATHAN SPITZ cello
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 2 in Concert
Special Concert—See it on the big screen as the NJSO plays the score live.
In the epic finale to the Harry Potter Film Concert Series, the battle between good and evil forces of the wizarding world escalates into an all-out war! Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 2 in Concert brings the final chapter to the big screen as the NJSO performs every note of the epic score from Alexandre Desplat. The stakes have never been higher!
Mozart & Brahms
Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 25 performed by Mexican-born pianist Jorge Federico Osorio.
JUN MÄRKL conductor
JORGE FEDERICO OSORIO piano
Jurassic Park in Concert
Special Concert—See it on the big screen as the NJSO plays the score live.
Featuring visually stunning imagery and groundbreaking special effects, the action-packed adventure of Jurassic Park pits man against prehistoric predators in the ultimate battle for survival. Experience this epic film in HD with the NJSO performing John Williams’ iconic score live to picture. Welcome … to Jurassic Park!
Beethoven’s Violin Concerto
Featuring the return of violinist Augustin Hadelich.
XIAN ZHANG conductor
AUGUSTIN HADELICH violin
Gershwin’s An American in Paris
2021 Winter Festival Week I: Gershwin & the Sounds of America
XIAN ZHANG conductor
TERRENCE WILSON piano
AARON DWORKIN narrator
Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F
2021 Winter Festival Week II: Gershwin & the Sounds of America
FABIEN GABEL conductor
AARON DIEHL piano
The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess
2021 Winter Festival Week III: Gershwin & the Sounds of America
XIAN ZHANG conductor
CHRIS KOMER horn
MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY CHOIR | Eric Conway, director
- VARIOUS Jazz French Horn Concerto (World Premiere, NJSO Commission) Movements by PAQUITO D’RIVERA, VIVIAN LI, CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE, GARY MORGAN
- GERSHWIN Selections from Porgy and Bess
2021 Lunar New Year Celebration
Special Concert—Celebrate the year of the Ox with the NJSO!
XIAN ZHANG conductor
- VARIOUS Jazz French Horn Concerto (World Premiere, NJSO Commission) Movements by PAQUITO D’RIVERA, VIVIAN LI, CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE, GARY MORGAN
- GERSHWIN Selections from Porgy and Bess
Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto
Gemma New conducts the NJSO premiere of Walton Symphony No. 1
GEMMA NEW conductor
KAREN GOMYO violin
- THOMAS ADÈS New Work (US Premiere, NJSO Co-Commission)
- TCHAIKOVSKY Violin Concerto
- WALTON Symphony No. 1 (NJSO Premiere)
Chopin’s First Piano Concerto
Also featuring Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 2, “Little Russian”
XIAN ZHANG conductor
HAOCHEN ZHANG piano
Star Wars: The Force Awakens in Concert
Special Concert—See it on the big screen as the NJSO plays the score live.
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 NJSO performing John Williams’ thrilling score live.
POSTPONED: Star Wars: The Last Jedi in Concert
In Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the Skywalker saga continues as the heroes of The Force Awakens join galactic legends in an epic adventure that unlocks age-old mysteries of the Force and shocking revelations of the past. Experience this thrilling film like never before as the NJSO performs Oscar®-winning composer John Williams’ exhilarating score live.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens in Concert
Special Concert—See it on the big screen as the NJSO plays the score live.
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 NJSO performing John Williams’ thrilling score live.
POSTPONED: Star Wars: The Last Jedi in Concert
In Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the Skywalker saga continues as the heroes of The Force Awakens join galactic legends in an epic adventure that unlocks age-old mysteries of the Force and shocking revelations of the past. Experience this thrilling film like never before as the NJSO performs Oscar®-winning composer John Williams’ exhilarating score live.
Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony
Vadim Gluzman returns to perform Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2
MARIO VENZAGO conductor
VADIM GLUZMAN violin
Conrad Tao Plays Tchaikovsky
Also featuring Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 9
JADER BIGNAMINI conductor
CONRAD TAO piano
- CONRAD TAO Spoonfuls for Piano and Orchestra (East-Coast Premiere)
- SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 9
- TCHAIKOVSKY Piano Concerto No. 1
The Composer Is Dead
2020–21 Season Family Concert
A guest actor will take on the famous role of Lemony Snicket—best known for the popular A Series of Unfortunate Events—in the musical mystery The Composer Is Dead, with music by Nathaniel Stookey.
- CONRAD TAO Spoonfuls for Piano and Orchestra (East-Coast Premiere)
- SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 9
- TCHAIKOVSKY Piano Concerto No. 1
Alma Deutscher Debuts with the NJSO
Special Concert
ALMA DEUTSCHER composer, violin, piano
MICHAEL FRANCIS conductor
Program to include selections from:
ALMA DEUTSCHER Violin Concerto
ALMA DEUTSCHER Piano Concerto
Joshua Bell Returns
Hear the nation’s most acclaimed violinist perform Bruch’s beautiful Violin Concerto No. 1
XIAN ZHANG conductor
JOSHUA BELL violin
- RENE ORTH Chasing Light (NJSO Premiere)
- BRUCH Violin Concerto No. 1
- BLOCH Baal Shem for Violin and Orchestra (NJSO Premiere)
- PROKOFIEV Symphony No. 5