New Jersey Symphony Presents Violinist Joshua Bell in Concert

Nov 1, 2023
  • Joshua Bell conducts and performs with the New Jersey Symphony
  • Featuring Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4
  • November 30–December 30 in Newark and Morristown

NEWARK, NJ—Grammy Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell joins the New Jersey Symphony in concert in a program featuring Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4.  

The world-renowned artist will not only play the solo violin in the incredibly virtuosic violin concerto but will also lead the orchestra from the concertmaster’s chair during the entire program, including Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4, making Bell both the soloist and the conductor of the performances. 

The program includes Mendelssohn’s Overture to his opera, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, based on Shakespeare’s play. 

Bell, an Indiana native who has been playing professionally since age 14, is currently on a world tour of major orchestras, including the New Jersey Symphony, and has just released a new album on Sony Classical, Butterfly Lovers. He recently commissioned a series of new works for violin and orchestra called The Elements, from composers Jake Heggie, Jennifer Higdon, Edgar Meyer, Jessie Montgomery, and Kevin Puts. 

In addition to his busy concert career, Bell is Music Director of the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, a chamber orchestra based in London. 

Concert tickets are available now. Performances take place Thursday, November 30, at 1:30 pm and Friday, December 1, at 8 pm at New Jersey Performing Arts Center, and Sunday, December 3, at 3 pm at Mayo Performing Arts Center. 

The Symphony invites all ticketholders to attend a free classical conversation starting one hour before the performance on Friday, December 1, at 7 pm and Sunday, December 3, at 2 pm. Learn more about the music from New Jersey Symphony musicians, guest artists and other engaging insiders.

Joshua Bell Leads the New Jersey Symphony

Thursday, November 30, 1:30 pm | New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark
Friday, December 1, 8 pm | New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark
Sunday, December 3, 3 pm | Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown

Joshua Bell conductor and violin
New Jersey Symphony

Mendelssohn Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Mendelssohn Violin Concerto
Beethoven Symphony No. 4

More information on concerts and tickets: njsymphony.org/events

New Jersey Symphony

The Emmy and Grammy Award-winning New Jersey Symphony is redefining what it means to be a nationally leading, relevant orchestra in the 21st century. The Symphony is renewing its deeply rooted commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion by championing new, and often local, artists; engaging audiences for whom the inspiring depth and breadth of classical music will be a new experience; and incorporating the broadest possible representation in all aspects of our organization-all to better reflect and serve our vibrant communities. Since 2021, Music Director Xian Zhang has worked together with composer, violinist, educator and social-justice advocate Daniel Bernard Roumain, the orchestra's Resident Artistic Catalyst, to offer programming that connects with diverse communities in Newark and throughout New Jersey.

Internationally renowned Chinese American conductor Xian Zhang began her tenure as the New Jersey Symphony's current Music Director in 2016. Since her arrival at the New Jersey Symphony, Zhang has revitalized programming with an industry-leading commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in mainstage concerts. In its second century of bringing concerts to the people of New Jersey, the Symphony will present audience favorites in 2023–24 including Dvořák's "New World" Symphony, Orff's Carmina Burana, Vivaldi's The Four Seasons and pianist Daniil Trifonov playing Gershwin's Concerto in F. New Jersey Symphony co-commissions include Anna Clyne's ATLAS and Jessie Montgomery's Snapshots. Composers Rob Kapilow and Daniel Bernard Roumain will present world premieres.

For more information about the New Jersey Symphony, visit www.njsymphony.org or email information@njsymphony.org. Tickets are available for purchase by phone 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476) or on the Orchestra's website.

Press Contact

Geoffrey Anderson, New Jersey Symphony, Vice President of Marketing & External Affairs
973.735.1713 | ganderson@njsymphony.org

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The New Jersey Symphony's programs are made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, along with many other foundations, corporations and individual donors.

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