Jacques Lacombe: Top 10 Moments

From his magical NJSO debut leading Carmina Burana to triumphant performances at Carnegie Hall’s Spring For Music Festival to his celebration of New Jersey’s rich cultural heritage, NJSO Music Director Jacques Lacombe has won praise from audiences and critics alike for his talents on the podium and creative programming during his remarkable six-year tenure.

As Jacques leads his final performances with the NJSO June 9–12, we look back at some of his top moments with the Orchestra:

 

1. Jacques dazzles audiences in NJSO debut, leading Carmina Burana

The chemistry between conductor and Orchestra was apparent right from the start, and audience members leapt to their feet after the final chords. The Star-Ledger called it “a revelatory event,” writing, “he worked without a score, maximizing his eye contact with the orchestra and chorus, the intimacy aurally apparent.” The magic of that 2008 Carmina Burana performance led the NJSO to name him its next leader—and release a highly rated recording of the debut.

(November 2008)

 

2. Beethoven’s Ninth and a block party welcome Jacques to New Jersey

Following the magnificent performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony that set the tone for his tenure, hundreds of audience members joined Jacques for a free block party outside NJPAC. Local ensembles and church choirs welcomed Jacques to New Jersey with joyful music and celebration.

“The NJSO can be a wonderful window to show the world who New Jersey is. To do that, it’s important to be connected with the community, to build bridges and create partnerships so that the NJSO is the orchestra of all New Jerseyans,” Jacques said.

(September 2010)

 

3. Jacques makes a brilliant debut in the NJSO’s return to Carnegie Hall

The Star-Ledger: “It has been six years since Carnegie Hall was a place for Jersey pride, but the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra more than made up for lost time ... and for his Carnegie Hall debut, music director Jacques Lacombe delivered not only bold, intelligent choices, but also sure-handed performances.”

Hundreds of NJSO fans boarded buses from communities throughout New Jersey, and crossed the Hudson for Jacques’ Carnegie Hall debut at the Spring For Music Festival in May 2012. “It was an honor to be in the hall for the astonishing performance,” The New York Times wrote of the concert featuring Busoni’s massive piano concerto with Marc-André Hamelin (pictured) and the men of the Westminster Symphonic Choir.

(May 2012)

 

4. Water, Fire, Earth and Air: Creative Winter Festivals focus on ‘Man & Nature’

Audiences and critics loved the on-stage creativity of Jacques’ multiyear Winter Festivals, with some big highlights in the 2010–14 “elements” cycle. The New York Times praised Jacques’ realization of Scriabin’s “color organ” with dramatic lighting for Prometheus: The Poem of Fire. Most strikingly, the elements themselves became instruments in Tan Dun’s Water and Earth Concertos.

(2010–14)

 

5. Celebrated collaborations with artistic partners

Jacques has championed and partnered with New Jersey artists and institutions, including the Montclair State University Chorale, Westminster Symphonic Choir and American Boychoir, among others. Captivating Winter Festival collaborations with The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey reached new heights this season with a full telling of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream set to Mendelssohn’s score.

(2010–16)

 

6. New Jersey Roots Project explores composers influenced by the Garden State

Over five seasons, the critically acclaimed New Jersey Roots Project highlighted some of the Garden State’s own talent, including works by Montclair residents Geri Allen (pictured) and George Walker.  Audience favorites included George Antheil’s Symphony No. 6, “After Delacroix,” which The Star-Ledger called the “high-octane” highlight of Opening Night in 2011. The project’s cornerstone was an in-depth exploration of lauded New Jersey composer and educator Edward T. Cone.

(2010–14)

 

7. NJSO Edward T. Cone Composition Institute nurtures and showcases exciting composers

Jacques’ passion for nurturing exciting artistic talent inspired the NJSO Edward T. Cone Composition Institute at Princeton University, an immersive laboratory experience offering emerging composers masterclasses, sessions with industry leaders, rehearsals and a public performance of their work. Fittingly, Jacques’ final NJSO concerts feature a piece by Chris Rogerson, one of the composers of the inaugural Cone Institute.

» Go inside the first Institute with The Star-Ledger

(2013– )

 

8. Jacques shares his roots with NJSO patrons on trip to Canada

Jacques shared his hometown roots with Amadeus Circle donors who traveled to Canada in 2014. Jacques invited the group into his home in Trois-Rivières and showed off his culinary skills, cooking a special dinner for the travelers, and he led a personal tour of the Sanctuaire Notre Dame du Cap, where his musical career began as a choirboy.

(Summer 2014)

 

9. Contemporary composers attend performances of their works

Jacques welcomed American composer Richard Danielpour to New Jersey three times, most recently in January for dynamic performances of his Percussion Concerto, which, The Star-Ledger wrote, “kicked off its first concert series of the New Year with a literal bang.” Other great composers including Tan Dun, André Previn, Daniel Bernard Roumain, Robert Aldridge, Steven Mackey and George Walker all sat among NJSO audiences to hear the Orchestra perform their works in person.

(2010–16)

 

10. Inside Jersey sums it up: One of the state’s most influential people

Inside Jersey included Jacques in its “100+ Club” of the most influential people in New Jersey, writing: “As music director of the NJSO since 2010, Jacques Lacombe has led the orchestra on one fruitful adventure after another. Honored by Carnegie Hall for adventurous programming, he and the orchestra achieved a stunning success at the Spring for Music festival … Lacombe has also initiated the New Jersey Roots Project, showcasing composers with local ties, including jazz artist Geri Allen; excelled in challenging and contemporary music; and celebrated the classical masterworks.”

(May 2014)
 

» Share your own top moments on the comment page!

 

Lacombe conducts his final concerts with the Orchestra June 9–12. Don’t miss his grand finale with the NJSO!