New York Times: Zhang ‘a name worth memorizing’

Apr 10, 2016

The New York Times writes:

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 orchestra is also stocked with excellent players, and there were moments during Friday’s program when the sound reached a fullness and polish that would be the envy of better-known ensembles on the other side of the state lines ...

Ms. Zhang’s approach to the Fourth relied heavily on big tempo contrasts. In the first movement, her pace in the lyrical sections was relaxed to the point of growing slack, but allowed for exciting hard-driving transitions back to the faster material.

In Barber’s Violin Concerto, with the sweet-toned but fiery violinist Jennifer Frautschi as soloist, there were voluptuous tuttis in which the orchestra’s string section flexed its might, part of a big-hearted and shapely performance that paid homage to the power of meticulously phrased, cleanly sung melody.

Read the full review.

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

Back to In The News