‘Bundle of energy’ Xian Zhang garners widespread acclaim

Apr 12, 2016

The dynamic performances [Xian] Zhang led on Friday proved that hers is a name worth memorizing. On the podium she is a pint-size bundle of energy, conducting with feet firmly grounded and big, purposeful motions of the torso and arms. In brief remarks from the stage, she also showed herself to be a natural communicator, brimming with enthusiasm and humor: a good choice for this orchestra, which takes its ambassadorial role seriously with concert series offered across the state and numerous outreach initiatives.

The New York Times

Conductor Xian Zhang dazzled in her first concerts with the NJSO since being named its next Music Director in November. Her week in New Jersey inspired standing ovations from audiences, rave reviews from national and local media outlets and excitement from the Orchestra family.

Xian is here! Orchestra musicians gave our next music director a big round of applause to kick off this morning's rehearsal—we're so excited to have her with us for four concerts this week!

A photo posted by New Jersey Symphony (@njsymphony) on Apr 5, 2016 at 8:23am PDT

So as a trailer — or overture — to the Xian Zhang era of the New Jersey Symphony, which starts later this year, the Chinese maestra's concerts this weekend must be seen as a success. At NJPAC on Friday night, Zhang — who will formally begin as Artistic Director this fall — won over the crowd with both her remarks and her musicianship. And like any good trailer or overture, it left you wanting more. ... A good music director isn't just a conductor; she's also a communicator and a leader.

The Star-Ledger

As her concerts approached, The Wall Street Journal examined the significance of Zhang’s “historic” appointment as the Orchestra’s next leader: “‘In New Jersey, [Xian Zhang] said, her priority is ‘to help shorten the distance’ between audiences and musicians … it’s all about finding that connection with people … on a human level.’”

As the week kicked off with rehersals, Orchestra members were looking forward to working with their future leader. Clarinetist Andrew Lamy said: “We’re very excited to have our new music director visiting us this week. She is cheerful and lyrical, has creative and interesting phrases, plenty of depth and a wonderful sense of rhythm. I’m looking forward to this new chapter.”

Principal Bassoon Robert Wagner said: “This will be my sixth or seventh music director here, and it’s always amazing how each one comes in with such great, different energy.”

In a visit with the NJSO Youth Orchestras, Xian leads the Academy Orchestra in a fabulous rehearsal of Tchaikovsky's Marche Slave!

A photo posted by New Jersey Symphony (@njsymphony) on Apr 9, 2016 at 8:22am PDT

Between Zhang's stops on podiums in multiple Garden State cities, she found time to inspire students in the NJSO Youth Orchestras with an impromptu rehearsal visit. Zhang visited each ensemble and even took the podium to conduct a run-through of Tchaikovsky’s Marche Slave with the Academy Orchestra (the NJSO opened this weekend’s program with the same work by Zhang’s favorite composer).

It didn’t take long for Zhang’s passion and energy to inspire the student musicians.

AO timpanist Maxine Musto made no effort to hide the ear-to-ear grin that lit up her face as Zhang led the orchestra in Marche Slave—a smile that widened even more when Zhang gave a special shout-out to the percussion, trumpets and brass for their excellent playing as the last note lingered in the air.

“It was really exhilarating,” Musto said. “I’m honestly out of breath right now!” The chance to play under Zhang’s baton was, she said, “intense and exciting. You could feel that she is really passionate about it and she just exudes it on to everyone, it was like in the movies where she just wishes it on to everyone.

Musto said: “That is my main goal in life—to keep doing the thing I love nonstop and yet still be that passionate about it. It’s so amazing that she’s been able to do this all the time and yet never get tired of it, and be so passionate about it and to [find a way to] give that passion to other people as well.”

Next Music Director Xian Zhang surprises the violinists of the Violin Ensemble @NJSOyo

A photo posted by New Jersey Symphony (@njsymphony) on Apr 9, 2016 at 8:05am PDT

After Friday night's concert at NJPAC in Newark, Zhang surprised participants in the third annual #OrchestraYou pro-am session—she watched Education and Community Engagement Conductor Jeffrey Grogan lead the rehearsal of the waltz from Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, then took to the podium in the NJPAC lobby and led the final performance, thrilling players and audience members alike.

Next NJSO Music Director Xian Zhang (@MoxianZhang) looks on as #OrchestraYou rehearsal continues. pic.twitter.com/iUvvwac13s
— New Jersey Symphony (@NJSymphony) April 9, 2016

Surprise! Next Music Director @Moxianzhang leads #OrchestraYou in the final performance of the "Waltz" from Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty. Thanks to Conductor Jeffrey Grogan for leading rehearsal.

A photo posted by New Jersey Symphony (@njsymphony) on Apr 8, 2016 at 9:07pm PDT

RELATED: WQXR features Xian Zhang

Read what this week's concertgoers are saying about the NJSO's next music director on Concert Coda.

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