Xian Zhang starts her 10th season with the New Jersey Symphony with rave reviews
Music Director Xian Zhang started her 10th season with the New Jersey Symphony in spectacular fashion with three consecutive performances of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1, featuring guest pianist Joyce Yang, in a program that also featured Jessie Montgomery’s Hymn for Everyone and Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8. Courtney Smith of NJArts.net reviewed the Opening Night performance on October 10 at NJPAC.
The “Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1” concert, starring Joyce Yang in the headlining piece, had brains, brawn and a warm and expressive romantic heart. The concerto was paired with Antonín Dvořák’s Eighth Symphony, and the two Romantic showstoppers were fine examples of the orchestra’s virtuosic use of orchestral color, incisive rhythmic play and meticulous balance under Zhang’s 10 years of leadership.
Courtney Smith of NJArts.net
» Read the full review from NJArts.net
Heidi Thompson of Jersey Shore Style was also there to review the Opening Night performance.
Seeing the NJ Symphony live reminds us how lucky we are to have an orchestra of this caliber right here in New Jersey. Under Xian Zhang’s leadership, the Symphony continues to flourish musically and deepen its commitment to reflecting and serving our diverse communities.
Heidi Thompson of Jersey Shore Style
» Read the full review from Jersey Shore Style
James C. Taylor of NJ Advance Media would also review the performance.
It was clear from Zhang’s very first concert as the NJS music director that she knows Tchaikovsky’s music well. Her fine conducting of Tchaikovsky has been a key element of her success here in New Jersey this past decade.
James C. Taylor of NJ Advance Media