NJArts.net: ‘Zhang brings impressive intensity’

NJArts.net hails the “impressive intensity” Music Director Xian Zhang brought to the podium in her debut as the NJSO’s artistic leader, praising the performance and looking ahead to Zhang’s Beethoven & Haydn concerts with the Orchestra this week:

[Xian Zhang] couldn’t have appeared more confident, Thursday at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, conducting with brisk, commanding energy and an intense focus that helped draw the audience in. She has such a strong physical presence that her conducting almost seemed like an athletic feat. The performances — of Tchaikovsky’s Polonaise from Eugene Onegin, his Piano Concerto No. 1 and his Symphony No. 5, with an excerpt from the Symphony serving as the encore as well — all drew rapturous applause.

The first female conductor in the orchestra’s history, Zhang, who was born and raised in China, has held major classical music posts around the world, in Beijing, New York, Milan, Sioux City and the Netherlands. She has guest conducted the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra a number of times, but this was her first time doing so during her tenure as music director.

She made a brief speech between the short, rhythmically propulsive Polanaise and the more expansive Concerto, praising several of the orchestra’s new administrative hires, and mentioning some of the offerings from this season that she’s particularly looking forward to (the Winter Festival with Pinchas Zukerman in January, Ravel’s Bolero in April, Yefim Bronfman playing Brahms in June).

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This week, they will present a program including Haydn (Adagio from Piano Trio No. 40 and Symphony No. 102); Beethoven (Triple Concerto); and Strauss (Suite from Der Rosenkavalier). The concerts take place Nov. 3 at 7:30 p.m. at BergenPAC in Englewood; and Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 6 at 3 p.m. at NJPAC. Featured musicians will include Pedja Muzijevic, piano; Eric Wyrick, violin; and Jonathan Spitz, cello.

» Read the full review at www.njarts.net

 

Music Director Xian Zhang in the news

» Blasting News praises Zhang’s ‘spectacular’ Music Director debut

» The New York Times: Zhang ‘showed complete command’

» 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’

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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

After debuting with a trio of Tchaikovsky scores October 27–30, Zhang 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

» Concert Coda: Read what audiences are saying about Zhang’s debut