Star-Ledger interviews Zhang ahead of music director debut
The Star-Ledger interviews Xian Zhang about her arrival as NJSO Music Director in concerts that begin this Thursday; the paper also speaks with President & CEO Gabriel van Aalst about the extraordinary musical and leadership gifts Zhang brings to New Jersey:
When conductor Xian Zhang lifts her arms to begin the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra's [performance] on Oct. 27, she will be directing her first concert as the symphony's new musical director and making NJSO history as the first woman to hold that position ...
[Zhang notes] she's familiar with many of the orchestra members from past guest conducting appearances, beginning in 2010.
"I felt very comfortable from the very first time ... It really started as love at first sight, from the first time we met," she said. "Conductors and musicians know instantly if there is chemistry or not."
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[T]hose around her are excited for her to take the stage and the orchestra's helm. NJSO President and CEO Gabriel van Aalst, who also recently joined the orchestra, said musical colleagues who had worked with Zhang contacted him to pile accolades on the conductor when they learned they'd be working together: "You're in for a real treat," one said. Another called Zhang " a delight" and a third mused that van Aalst was a lucky guy.
This wasn't news to van Aalst, who had already seen Zhang conduct.
"She is a powerhouse," said van Aalst, who previously served as chief executive with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, the world's premiere chamber orchestra in the United Kingdom. "She's absolutely 100 percent committed to this orchestra and it's a very exciting time for all of us."
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Another goal [of Zhang’s] is to introduce the orchestra to more New Jersey residents, including the younger generation. She regularly brings her two sons, ages 7 and 4, to classical musical performances.
"People need to just give it a chance and hear it once and I think they will love it," she said. "Most kids have probably never heard a symphony concert or seen so many people performing together but they are where are future is. My hope is that 10 years from now, that's who is going to come to our concerts."
Van Aalst said everyone -- old time orchestra lovers, newbies, doubters and children -- should come out to see Zhang conduct. During her previous area appearances, she's received rave reviews, with NJ Advance critic writing that during her April 2016 performance, Zhang "won over the crowd with both her remarks and her musicianship. And like any good trailer or overture, it left you wanting more. ... A good music director isn't just a conductor; she's also a communicator and a leader."
"It's one thing to talk about her, when you see her on the podium, it's astonishing what can draw out from the orchestra," van Aalst said. "She's such a brilliant conductor and we're so lucky to have her."
» Read the full story at www.nj.com.
Music Director Xian Zhang in the news
» 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
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