Sarah Chang chats with Star-Ledger about NJSO residency
The centerpiece of this season’s Winter Festival is the two-week residency of violinist Sarah Chang, who will perform Bernstein’s West Side Story Suite for audiences in all six NJSO venues across the state in a residency generously sponsored by Bank of America.
The Star-Ledger chats with Chang about her upcoming stint in New Jersey:
“It’s just such a pleasure when you get the opportunity to play something as iconic and beautiful as ‘West Side Story,’ ” she says. “People who aren’t musicians, or might not be regular subscribers, will listen to the piece for the first time and will recognize melodies because it’s something they grew up with.”
Chang, too, heard the musical when she was growing up in Voorhees -- and got to know “Somewhere,” “America,” “Tonight” and “I Feel Pretty.” She describes the upcoming programs, which feature varied Shakespeare-inspired works (and several takes on “Romeo and Juliet,” in addition to Bernstein’s) as incredibly romantic.
It was her idea to approach [David] Newman to write her version of the orchestral work.
“He did such a beautiful arrangement,” she says. “He really stayed true to the original orchestration … it’s such a virtuosic and heart-tugging cinematic masterpiece.”
As a key part of her residency, Chang will meet and inspire students in two of the NJSO’s education programs—NJSO CHAMPS (Character, Achievement and Music Project) and the NJSO Youth Orchestras.
The Star-Ledger continues:
Chang, who began her career as a child prodigy and debuted with the New York Philharmonic at age 8, will take part in a residency that includes educational outreach.
She will visit local young musicians and give a master class to students in the NJSO’s youth orchestra programs.
“I just remember being so inspired by my teacher and by performers,” she says of her days as a young musician. “I always found that being stuck in practice room or classroom didn’t work for me. I was motivated by watching a rehearsal or seeing a pianist or cellist or any musician do their thing, just seeing them in action.”
In a master class, she acknowledges, it can be difficult to make an impact on a student’s overall technique or musicianship. But she is well aware of how much difference a mentor or role model can make.
“... you reach for something more than what you learn in the textbook. You try to open their eyes and ears, and reach for something a little more imaginative,” she says ...
Her work with students now can be seen as a kind of paying it forward. “It really is an essential responsibility for anyone who has the privilege to be onstage and perform to look out for next generation,” she says.
Read the full interview at nj.com.
View the full Winter Festival calendar.