New York Times: Zhang ‘showed complete command’

The New York Times reviews Xian Zhang’s first concert as NJSO Music Director—a debut that continues with concerts across the state over the next two weeks:

[Zhang] showed complete command of these scores and a deep feeling for them.

The Polonaise exuded vitality in its outer sections, but between them settled into an easy, breathy lilt that brought the dance vividly to life. This performance, like the others, spoke to meticulous preparation by Ms. Zhang, but also to a certain freedom and risk-taking on the part of the players that suggested an enthusiastic and confident response to her direction.

…

… Tchaikovskian lyricism and passion were both given their due by pianist and orchestra alike [in the First Piano Concerto]. Several excellent orchestral solos — by Bart Feller, flutist; Robert Ingliss, oboist; and Jonathan Spitz, cellist — testified to the orchestra’s internal strengths, just as the overall sound did to the fine state of the ensemble that Ms. Zhang inherits.

Much the same could be said of the performance of the Fifth Symphony, here with additional solos by Karl Herman, clarinetist; Robert Wagner, bassoonist; and Chris Komer, French hornist …

So there it was: a fine concert that spoke eloquently to Ms. Zhang’s technical abilities, musicianship and maturity. There is every reason to believe that she and the orchestra will thrive in the standard repertory.

» Read the full review at www.nytimes.com

» RELATED: The New York Times chats with Zhang about ‘defining her own sound’

 

Music Director Xian Zhang in the news

» The Star-Ledger: ‘Xian Zhang dazzles’ in this weekend’s concerts

» Superconductor reviews Xian Zhang’s first concert as NJSO Music Director

» Listen: WQXR interviews Xian Zhang at rehearsal

» The New York Times chats with Zhang about ‘defining her own sound’

» U.S. 1 interviews Xian Zhang about NJ arrival

» The Times of Trenton previews Xian Zhang’s Music Director debut

» The Star-Ledger interviews Zhang ahead of music director debut

» Listen: WWFM interviews Music Director Xian Zhang

» The New York Times anticipates debut of ‘charismatic’ Xian Zhang

» U.S. 1 previews arrival of ‘vibrant’ Xian Zhang

» The Star-Ledger features NJSO in fall arts preview

» Princeton Magazine features Xian Zhang on September cover

» Newark Happening: Xian Zhang to debut as NJSO Music Director

» #TBT: ‘Xian Zhang burst onto the stage like a firecracker’

Other outlets also look ahead to this weekend’s performances. The Courier News and Home News Tribune feature the concerts in their “Makin Plans: 10 best things to do this weekend” column, and Morristown Green includes Sunday’s performance at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in its weekend preview for the greater Morristown area.

*    *    *

Watch a behind-the-scenes “State of the Arts” feature on Zhang and her NJSO arrival, filmed during her week with the Orchestra in April:

 

 

» Read press and see highlights from Zhang’s April week with the Orchestra

 

Xian Zhang’s debut concerts as NJSO Music Director

Zhang conducts a trio of Tchaikovsky scores—Symphony No. 5, Piano Concerto No. 1 and Polonaise from Eugene Onegin—October 27–30 in Newark, Princeton, New Brunswick and Morristown. Pianist Simon Trpčeski joins the Orchestra for Tchaikovsky’s concerto.

She leads a program featuring Beethoven’s Triple Concerto, Haydn’s Symphony No. 102 and Adagio from Piano Trio No. 40 and Strauss’ Suite from Der Rosenkavalier, November 3–6 in Englewood and Newark. The Beethoven concerto features NJSO Concertmaster Eric Wyrick, Principal Cello Jonathan Spitz and pianist Pedja Muzijevic.

» View concert details and purchase tickets