U.S. 1 previews arrival of ‘vibrant’ Xian Zhang

In its feature on the upcoming classical season, U.S. 1 previews the arrival of “vibrant” new Music Director Xian Zhang. The paper praises the conductor’s April appearances with the NJSO: “Zhang’s expressiveness and clarity enfolded the audience in her musical desires. Responding to her vivid gestures was inevitable for both performers and listeners.”

U.S. 1 writes:

At the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO), the new element in 2016-’17 is the change in leadership. Vibrant Xian Zhang succeeds multi-talented Jacques Lacombe, NJSO’s music director for six years, who left for the Bonn, Germany, Opera House in June.

Zhang, now music director of the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi, has been an associate conductor at the New York Philharmonic and has guest conducted the NJSO several times in the last few years. She will continue to keep her Milan post.

Leading the NJSO as a guest conductor in April this year, Zhang’s expressiveness and clarity enfolded the audience in her musical desires. Responding to her vivid gestures was inevitable for both performers and listeners. Equally compelling was her leadership by the tilt of her head in quiet passages.

Zhang attributes her taking the NJSO post to the orchestra’s members. “The musicians are very flexible,” she said. “They can change styles. They’re interesting to conduct.” NJSO musicians were involved in her selection.

Zhang herself has programmed the seven concerts she will conduct for the NJSO in 2016-’17. She has chosen pieces ranging primarily from the solid classical repertoire: Haydn and Mozart, through Brahms and Tchaikovsky, to Shostakovich and Prokofiev. Her first official appearance as conductor takes place in late October for an all-Tchaikovsky program, which plays in both Princeton’s Richardson Auditorium on Friday, October 28, and New Brunswick’s State [Theatre] on Saturday, October 29.

A whimsical program distinguishes Zhang’s batch of concerts in early April, which includes the Saturday, April 8, performance at the State [Theatre]. Tan Dun’s “Internet Symphony ‘Eroica,’” commissioned by You Tube and Google in 2008, is on tap, along with a Vaughan Williams tuba concerto, Saint-Saens’ “Carnival of the Animals,” and Ravel’s “Bolero.”

» Read the full preview at www.princetoninfo.com.

» RELATED: The New York Times anticipates debut of ‘charismatic’ Xian Zhang

» RELATED: The Star-Ledger features NJSO in fall arts preview

» RELATED: Princeton Magazine features Xian Zhang on September cover