NJPAC in Newark

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!”

Kodály’s love for his native Hungary is evident in this sparkling and tuneful dance suite, inspired by the folk songs he heard in the small market town where he spent part of his childhood.

Your first time to hear the oboe d’amore? This duskier cousin of the modern oboe has a soulful, sweet sound that Bach adored and placed at the center of this piece of reverence and reflection.

Medieval monks had more on their minds than scripture–women, beer and the ever-turning wheel of fate most prominent. Orff set their words to dramatically colorful music in his iconic Carmina Burana.

Berlioz exploded every idea of what an orchestra could do and be, and his Roman Carnival Overture was his calling card. It shows the New Jersey Symphony in all its full-throated glory.

Having written for every top-flight orchestra in America, Anna Clyne’s latest is for us and with the extraordinary Jeremy Denk as soloist. Find out why The New York Times chose Anna Clyne for their feature “Five Minutes that Will Make You Love Classical Music.”

Fifty minutes that made Beethoven’s name. His Third was so bold and unconventional, that it still sounds new 200-plus years after its premiere.

The New Jersey Symphony premieres an all-new commission from Resident Artistic Catalyst Daniel Bernard Roumain. A master storyteller, DBR will continue to wow New Jersey audiences with his genre-bending music.

Gershwin’s landmark opera spun off so many great tunes – “Summertime,” “It Ain’t Necessarily So” and a dozen others will have you singing your way into summer.

Proving he was way more than a one-hit wonder after his Rhapsody in Blue, Gershwin poured the energy of Manhattan on a Saturday night into this sparkler for piano and orchestra. Superstar Daniil Trifonov wraps up our season with a bang.