NJSO Announces 2014–15 Season

NEWARK, NJ (January 27, 2014)—The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO) today announced its programs for the 2014–15 concert season, conductor Jacques Lacombe’s fifth year as the Orchestra’s Music Director. Fulfilling its mission as a statewide orchestra, the NJSO brings subscription programs to venues in Newark, New Brunswick, Princeton, Morristown, Red Bank and Englewood, with 14 weeks of subscription classical programs, four pops programs and three family concerts, as well as several special concerts. The season offers the compelling programs and “sure-handed performances” that have, as The Star-Ledger has written, inspired the NJSO’s “hometown audience” to “not just [cheer] on its team, but [give] accolades to deserving music, relishing its challenges and its rewards.”

For the season’s opening weekend, Lacombe and the Orchestra present Carmina Burana with the Westminster Symphonic Choir on a program that opens with a work by New Jersey composer George Antheil. A blockbuster season finale features two Beethoven’s Fifths—the composer’s Fifth Symphony and Piano Concerto No. 5, “Emperor,” with Marc-André Hamelin, with whom the NJSO gave a triumphant performance at Carnegie Hall’s 2012 Spring for Music Festival.

The season’s opening and closing programs illustrate the values at the heart of the NJSO’s mission—to present to New Jersey audiences the great masterworks of the repertoire in collaboration with renowned artists. We are passionate about celebrating the wealth of artistic talent within the Garden State by partnering with its performing-arts institutions and presenting its composers.
—Jacques Lacombe, Music Director

January features the first season of a two-year “Sounds of Shakespeare” Winter Festival celebrating music inspired by the Bard. Lacombe conducts the festival’s three-concert 2015 series. A two-week residency of renowned violinist Sarah Chang anchors the festival; Chang performs Bernstein’s West Side Story Suite in all six NJSO venues statewide. As part of her residency (the first of its kind for the NJSO), Chang will visit and give masterclasses for two of the NJSO’s flagship education programs, the Greater Newark Youth Orchestras and El Sistema-inspired NJSO CHAMPS (Character, Achievement and Music Project). Bank of America generously sponsors Chang’s residency.

The 2015 Winter Festival features a number of works the NJSO has not previously performed, including the Bernstein suite, Korngold’s Much Ado About Nothing Suite and selections from Barber’s Antony and Cleopatra.

The 2014–15 season marks the culmination of one of the Orchestra’s critically lauded artistic initiatives—the New Jersey Roots Project, which celebrates composers born in or influenced by their time spent in the Garden State. This season, the Orchestra performs works by George Antheil, Darryl Kubian and Edward T. Cone. A connective element through the five seasons of the New Jersey Roots Project has been the work of Cone, the late Princeton University professor whose music the NJSO has presented in each season of the project and whose influence as a teacher has extended to several other composers the NJSO has featured. The capstone of the final season of the New Jersey Roots Project is the world premiere of Cone’s Symphony at a special July 2014 concert/lecture at Richardson Auditorium at Princeton University; the event will mark the launch of the Edward T. Cone Composition Institute—a new partnership between the Edward T. Cone Foundation, Princeton University and the NJSO.

The NJSO has had a strong relationship with Princeton University composers for years, and we are excited to partner with the Orchestra for this immersive composition institute. This new program will foster emerging composing talent by preparing composers for both the creative and practical elements of composing works for orchestra.
—Steven Mackey, Princeton University Music Department Chair

The season features an outstanding international roster of guest artists including Marc-André Hamelin, André Watts, Gil Shaham, Stefan Jackiw and Kirill Gerstein. Female conductors Xian Zhang, Sarah Hicks and Gemma New appear across classical, pops and family programs, respectively. The Orchestra highlights several of its own musicians—Concertmaster Eric Wyrick, Principal Cello Jonathan Spitz and Principal Flute Bart Feller.

The NJSO presents a four-concert pops series with the State Theatre in New Brunswick, in addition to its regular pops series at NJPAC. The 2014–15 pops series includes a screening of Singin’ in the Rain with live orchestral accompaniment, a Motown R&B program featuring vocal group Spectrum, a “Broadway Spectacular” led by conductor Todd Ellison and a festive holiday program featuring 10-time Grammy Award-winning vocal ensemble Take 6.

NJSO Education & Community Engagement Conductor Jeffrey Grogan and Associate Conductor Gemma New lead the Orchestra’s three-concert family series at NJPAC in Newark; each concert features special pre- and post-concert events designed to bring young concertgoers closer to the music and music makers.

We are thrilled with the programs Jacques has crafted for our 92rd season. Each concert speaks powerfully through the treasures of our art form and celebrates the love our listeners have for this music. We take our role as the Orchestra for the state of New Jersey directly to heart. It is our mission to bring the great orchestral works directly into communities we serve across the state, while introducing new works both historic and fresh-off-the-press. We have an incredibly loyal group of supporters—more than 15% of our subscribers have already renewed for the 2014–15 season without even knowing the schedule, which underscores the depth of our relationship with our audiences. Our remarkable donors demonstrate their belief in our mission through their generous support of the work we do. We are deeply grateful for our whole NJSO family, and we dedicate this season to them.”
—James Roe, NJSO President & CEO

SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

• Opening Night Celebration: Lacombe and the NJSO open the season with Carmina Burana—the masterwork that first introduced him to New Jersey audiences and critics in November 2008, prior to his appointment as music director. The Star-Ledger praised Lacombe’s Carmina interpretation in his NJSO debut, noting his “dynamic subtlety and zest.” The opening-weekend program features George Antheil’s McKonkey’s Ferry as part of both the New Jersey Roots Project and NJ350—a celebration of the Garden State’s 350th anniversary in 2014. Special event packages include a pre-concert cocktail party and a post-concert gala dinner. October 10.

• Premieres and commissions: The NJSO presents the world premiere of Edward T. Cone’s Symphony at a special concert/lecture at the Richardson Auditorium in Princeton (July 18, 2014). The Orchestra premieres a commission from NJSO violinist and composer Darryl Kubian, O for a Muse of Fire, commissioned through the New Jersey Roots Project (March 19–22).

• New Jersey Roots Project: This season marks the culmination of the New Jersey Roots Project, a multi-year commitment to performing world-class music from composers who were either born in New Jersey or whose time spent in the Garden State has significantly influenced their artistic identity. This season, the project highlights the music of George Antheil (McKonkey’s Ferry, October 10–12), Darryl Kubian (world premiere of NJSO commission O for a Muse of Fire, March 19–22) and Edward T. Cone (world premiere of Symphony, July 18, 2014).

  • World premiere of Cone’s Symphony at special lecture/concert: The NJSO gives the Cone premiere at a special lecture and concert at Richardson Auditorium at Princeton University; Lacombe and distinguished composer Steven Mackey—Princeton University Music Department Chair and professor—will discuss Cone’s work and legacy as a teacher-composer before the Orchestra premieres the symphony.

  • Launch of Edward T. Cone Composition Institute: The event will also mark the launch of the Edward T. Cone Composition Institute—a new partnership between the Edward T. Cone Foundation, Princeton University and the NJSO. Promising graduate-level composers will have their work rehearsed by the NJSO and participate in master classes with the program director, as well as receive feedback from Lacombe and select NJSO musicians. The Institute will provide sessions with industry leaders in publishing, licensing, promotion and music preparation to give participants a foundation for a successful career in composition. The Institute concludes with a world-premiere performance of the participants’ works by the NJSO.

• “Sounds of Shakespeare” Winter Festival: The 2015 Winter Festival launches a two-year festival project celebrating music inspired by the Bard, William Shakespeare. The two-week residency of violinist Sarah Chang anchors the 2015 festival, which also welcomes actors from The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey back to NJSO stages.

  • Week I – Lacombe Conducts Romeo and Juliet. The NJSO’s Winter Festival celebrates the genius of Shakespeare with music inspired by his greatest plays. The timeless romance of Romeo and Juliet proved irresistible to Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev and Gounod alike, giving rise to a passionate trio of audience favorites. Actors from The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey perform scenes from the beloved tragedy. January 9–11.

  • Week II – Sarah Chang Plays Bernstein. In a bold stroke of inspiration, Bernstein transplanted Romeo and Juliet to Hell’s Kitchen to create his West Side Story. Superstar violinist Sarah Chang makes its famous melodies sing and soar. Antony and Cleopatra, another ill-fated Shakespearean pair, are caught between desire and duty in Barber’s mesmerizing score. January 16–18.

  • Week III – Sarah Chang Plays Bernstein. Sarah Chang shines in Bernstein’s immortal West Side Story, heard in a luminous arrangement for violin and orchestra. Shakespeare’s countryman Elgar paints a memorable portrait of the jolly rogue Falstaff, who appears in three of the Bard’s plays. January 22–25.

• Collaborations: The NJSO partners with several New Jersey arts institutions and performs with New Jersey artists. The Orchestra performs with the Westminster Symphonic Choir (October 10–12), Montclair State University Singers (Dec 19–21) and The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (January 9–11). The NJSO presents the 18th annual UJA Benefit Concert for the United Jewish Communities of MetroWest (May 17) and presents programs in collaboration with NJPAC (“André Watts with the NJSO,” May 15) and the State Theatre (“A Take 6 Holiday with the NJSO,” December 14; “Singin’ in the Rain,” February 8; “Heart of Motown with Spectrum and the NJSO,” April 19; “Broadway Spectacular with the NJSO,” May 31).

• Great works of the repertoire: A blockbuster season finale features two Beethoven’s Fifths—the composer’s Fifth Symphony and “Emperor” Piano Concerto No. 5. The 2014–15 season includes masterworks and gems of the classical repertoire, including Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, “Titan;” Bernstein’s Symphony No. 2, “The Age of Anxiety;” Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6, “Pathétique,” and Handel’s Messiah.

• Performances statewide: Fulfilling its mission as New Jersey’s state orchestra, the NJSO presents classical subscription programming at NJPAC in Newark, the State Theatre in New Brunswick, Richardson Auditorium in Princeton, Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank and bergenPAC in Englewood. The Orchestra performs pops concerts at NJPAC and the State Theatre and presents family concerts at NJPAC. In December, the NJSO brings Handel’s Messiah to the Michael T. Lake Performing Arts Center in Neptune, in addition to performances at NJPAC and Richardson Auditorium.

GUEST AND FEATURED ARTISTS

The NJSO welcomes world-class soloists—superstars, rising young virtuosos and gifted players from the Orchestra itself—to headline its concert programs this season.

Guest artists:

• “Her gifts are at a level so removed from the rest of us that all we can do is feel the appropriate awe and then wonder on the mysteries of nature,” The New York Times writes of violinist Sarah Chang, who joins the NJSO for a two-week residency, performing Bernstein’s West Side Story Suite in every NJSO venue across two Winter Festival programs. January 16–18, 22–25.

• Pianist Marc-André Hamelin was last seen with the NJSO in a triumphant performance of Busoni’s Piano Concerto at the Spring for Music Festival at Carnegie Hall in 2012; “It was an honor to be in the hall for the astonishing performance,” The New York Times wrote. Hamelin joins the Orchestra for Beethoven’s “Emperor” Piano Concerto No. 5 on the season’s blockbuster finale. June 4–7.

• “Many great soloists seem to inhabit the music they’re playing. In [Gil Shaham’s] case, it is more as if the music possesses him, and he is merely its (amazingly intense) conduit,” The St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes of the violinist who returns to the NJSO for Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto. October 23–26.

• The Boston Globe writes that violinist Stefan Jackiw, who joins the NJSO for Dvořák’s Romance and Ravel’s Tzigane, “naturally has all the requisite virtuosity and technical firepower one would expect from a young soloist these days, but [he places] technique at the service of a notably refined sense of artistry.” April 24–26.

• The New York Times writes, “While there is much to love about [pianist Kirill Gerstein’s] assured, warm, generous playing—which is clean and clear but never arid or dull—his command of color was particularly astonishing.” Gerstein joins the NJSO for Bernstein’s Symphony No. 2, “The Age of Anxiety.” March 12–15.

• Inon Barnatan “turns the piano into an utterly fantastical instrument,” BBC Music writes of the pianist who makes his NJSO debut with Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1. November 28–30.

Female conductors:

• The Star-Ledger praised Xian Zhang’s previous engagement with the NJSO, writing, “Zhang was at once commanding and exuberant, occasionally jumping or bending sharply at the waist to spur on the orchestra but often remaining fairly still—a riveting, dancer-like presence completely in the service of music, not showmanship.” Zhang returns for a program of Brahms, Strauss and Mozart. April 30–May 3.

• The Birmingham News applauds Sarah Hicks’ “ability to tackle complex modern scores and her resolve to freshen a formidable warhorse … Hicks made it clear that leading an orchestra is a gender-free activity.” Hicks conducts a Motown-inspired pops program featuring Spectrum. April 18–19.

• NJSO Associate Conductor Gemma New—hailed by WQXR as one of the “top five women conductors on the rise”—leads “The Land of Make Believe,” a family concert about the musical stories captured in Bernstein’s West Side Story, Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet, Williams’ Harry Potter and more. February 7.

NJSO artists:

• Concertmaster Eric Wyrick and Principal Cello Jonathan Spitz perform Brahms’ Concerto for Violin and Cello. April 30–May 3.

• Principal Flute Bart Feller performs Mozart’s Flute and Harp Concerto with guest harpist Stacey Shames. February 27–March 1.

• The NJSO gives the world premiere of O for a Muse of Fire, a commission from NJSO violinist Darryl Kubian, presented as part of the New Jersey Roots Project. March 19–22.

NJSO POPS

The NJSO performs its POPS series on Saturday evenings at NJPAC in Newark and, in collaboration with the State Theatre, on Sunday afternoons at the State Theatre in New Brunswick.

• A Take 6 Holiday with the NJSO: The syncopated sounds of 10-time Grammy Award-winning ensemble Take 6 will fill you with holiday spirit! This sensational sextet infuses R&B, pop, gospel and more into joyful, groovin’ entertainment, with a program that includes their unique take on seasonal favorites including “Joy to the World” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” Come early and enjoy caroling in the lobby, and bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots. Perfect for the entire family. December 13–14. The December 14 performance is presented in collaboration with the State Theatre in New Brunswick.

• Singin’ in the Rain: From the iconic, puddle-jumping “Singin’ in the Rain” scene to the crisp rendition of “Good Morning” and the tender moments of “You Were Meant for Me,” Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds sang and danced their way right to the top of the American Film Institute’s list of greatest movie musicals. The NJSO brings the film’s beloved soundtrack to life while the remastered film is shown with the original dialogue and vocals intact. February 7–8. The February 8 performance is presented in collaboration with the State Theatre in New Brunswick.

• Heart of Motown with Spectrum and the NJSO: With tight, ringing harmonies, slick moves and an utter commitment to the joy of the music, Spectrum recreates the sound of Motown. Relive the magic of The Four Tops, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, The Drifters, The Miracles and other R&B sensations with this high-energy tribute including “Just My Imagination,” “My Girl” and “The Way You Do the Things You Do.” April 18–19. The April 19 performance is presented in collaboration with the State Theatre in New Brunswick.

• Broadway Spectacular with the NJSO: Hailed by The New York Times as one of “Broadway’s electric conductors,” Todd Ellison leads a sizzling program of spectacular favorites from such Broadway hits as Carousel, Monty Python’s Spamalot, Shrek the Musical and 42nd Street. Two of the hottest talents on the stage today—Beth Leavel and Christopher Sieber—join Ellison and the NJSO for a sparkling program of showtunes. May 30–31. The May 31 performance is presented in collaboration with the State Theatre in New Brunswick.

NJSO FAMILY SERIES

The young and the young at heart will enjoy discovering the instruments of the orchestra, great stories told through music and rich orchestral repertoire featured in this magical and interactive series, which the NJSO presents on Saturday afternoons at NJPAC in Newark. Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey presents the NJSO Family Series.

• The Musical Time Machine: Join forces with Maestro Jeffrey Grogan and race through history to stop a clever time traveler! Power up the time machine to keep the time traveler from permanently changing music from Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, Rossini’s William Tell Overture and Dvořák’s “New World” Symphony! November 29.

• The Land of Make Believe: Just as authors use words, composers use music to tell stories about grand adventures, falling in love, epic battles and so much more, helping create magic worlds in our imaginations. What stories do you hear in Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet, Bernstein’s West Side Story and music from Harry Potter. February 7.

• A Hero’s Journey: Who are your heroes? They can be anyone from firefighters to the president, from parents to a friend who stands up to a bully. How would music about heroes sound? Imagine your own as you listen to pieces inspired by famous heroes in Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, Verdi’s Nabucco Overture and Beethoven’s “Eroica” Symphony. June 6.

Pre-Concert Adventures—specially created interactive programs perfect for the whole family—are an opportunity to learn more about the music, participate in fun activities, play games and meet NJSO musicians in the NJPAC lobby an hour before each concert.

 
NON-SUBSCRIPTION CONCERTS

• Handel’s Messiah: Handel’s Messiah resonates freshly each time it is heard, especially so the exhilarating “Hallelujah Chorus.” Musically superb yet deeply emotional, the Messiah is a holiday season must-hear for music lovers everywhere. Lacombe conducts the masterwork in Princeton, Neptune and Newark. December 19–21. The December 21 performance is presented in collaboration with the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.

• André Watts with the NJSO: André Watts’ storied career began at the age of 16, when Leonard Bernstein chose him to perform on one of his Young People’s Concerts. More than 50 years later, he is still one of our most beloved superstars. His take on Grieg’s passionate concerto and Beethoven’s Third Piano Concerto makes this a concert you’ll remember for years to come. May 15. Presented in collaboration with the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.

• 18th Annual UJA Benefit Concert: Legendary violinist Isaac Stern performed on the NJSO’s very first UJA concert in 1998. This year, Stern’s son Michael, an accomplished conductor, carries on the concert’s legacy with a program rich in cultural gems, including Prokofiev’s Overture on Hebrew Themes and the cheerfully triumphant Finale of Brahms’ Second Symphony. May 17.

For more information on the 2014–15 Season, click here.