NJ.com: ‘One of the world’s most respected pianists’ returns to NJSO
NJ.com interviews pianist Kirill Gerstein about his return to the NJSO this weekend for Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto, a “romantic blockbuster”:
This marks Gerstein's first time collaborating with [Music Director] Xian Zhang, but his return to the NJSO after a heralded debut at NJPAC two years ago. In a review on NJ.com, he was singled out as "one of the most compelling guest artists of the NJSO in recent seasons."
Speaking with Gerstein, it's clear that the NJSO's unique, traveling season made an impression on the Russian-born pianist.
"It's interesting that the orchestra plays in several venues," he said, in an interview with NJ.com earlier this month. "It feels a little like being on tour."
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Gerstein said he sees another benefit to the fact that the NJSO regularly plays in different cities around the state. "I think its not just a good thing, but it's maybe the most important aspect of an orchestra: serving its community." While many orchestras tour and export their style of music, Gerstein admires the New Jersey band's mission.
"Bringing music to the people," he said, "this is what matters most."
» Read the full preview at www.nj.com