NJPAC in Newark

A languid flute solo opens a portal into another world, with Debussy’s shimmering orchestral colors as vivid as any Monet painting.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Written as a gift for his wife, the acclaimed mezzo-soprano Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, Peter Lieberson’s Neruda Songs takes poetry of extraordinary beauty and makes it even more rapturous.

A joyous choral celebration, Poulenc’s music is both playful and exuberant—guaranteed to release endorphins!

Ravel’s most ravishing piece (and that’s saying quite a lot!), Daphnis and Chloé is an orchestral tour de force, giving every musician a true instrumental work out.

Full of glitter and gaiety, Bernstein’s effervescent overture exudes joy and optimism—the best of all possible worlds.

The pinnacle of the guitar repertoire, Rodrigo’s beloved concerto transports the listener to the heart of historic Spain, capturing, in the composer’s words, “the fragrance of magnolias, the singing of birds, and the gushing of fountains.”

Argentina’s leading composer, Alberto Ginastera, wrote Estancia soon after he met Aaron Copland. This extraordinary ballet score is full of folk character, driving rhythms, and a final dance that is among the most ecstatic moments in the orchestral repertoire.

From the nearly imperceptible tap of a snare drum to its exhilarating climax, the slow burn crescendo of Boléro grabs hold of audiences and refuses to let go. There’s nothing like hearing it live!