Asbury Park Press previews finale with Zhang & Bronfman

The Asbury Park Press previews the NJSO’s season finale with Xian Zhang and Yefim Bronfman, writing:

The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, led by Xian Zhang in her premiere year as the group’s music director, will conclude its 2016-17 season with performances of Johannes Brahms’ Second Piano Concerto and Dmitri Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5.

The soloist for the Brahms will be Yefim Bronfman, a virtuoso of longstanding and deserved fame.

Known to fans and friends as Fima, Bronfman is admired for a muscular, almost reckless energy at the keyboard, coupled with an understanding of the literature that gives his interpretations an air of easy authority.

“Fima has such power,” Zhang said in a news release. “And I am looking forward to finishing the season with him with Brahms’ Second Piano Concerto.”

Zhang’s first season has been a rousing success, with critics offering glowing reviews of her performances with the orchestra ...

Today, even apart from all interest in the work as a historical protest, [Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony] is heard as a masterpiece.

“Shostakovich’s Fifth is a fantastic symphony,” Zhang said. “It’s one of those symphonies that conductors love and orchestras love (to play). It’s really fulfilling.”

Performances take place on Thursday, June 8, at 1:30 pm; Friday, June 9, at 8 pm and Sunday, June 11, at 3 pm at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark; and Saturday, June 10, at 8 pm at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank.

» Read the full preview at www.app.com

» Concert information and tickets