On January 22, the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO) announces its brand new 2020-2021 season for the some of the best orchestral music in the New Jersey Metro area. I spent a few moments with NJSO’s Director of Artistic Planning Patrick Chamberlain, who is the person who works with Xian Zhang to create her musical vision for audiences. “There is a v-e-r-y long list of ideas Xian would like to present to the symphony,” says Chamberlain. A year in advance, together, they begin to identify which of the projects on the list matches both Xian’s availability, as well as that of guest artists, while looking at a balanced calendar for each of the six venues in which NJSO plays, across the state from Bergen County through Essex, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris and Mercer. There is also a budgetary consideration in keeping the season affordable, while tracking what type of works may be presented in which venues. After all, not all theaters have the same acoustic properties! Xian’s contract continues through 2024 and, with the NJSO’s centennial in 2022, how do you program music that will lead into the centennial season, while having a great 2021 to keep people interested? All in all, it is about a year-and-a-half, from concept to fruition of a season, once the vision board is created.
During this time, when it seems like many forces are trying to keep us apart, Xian has created events like the wildly popular Lunar New Year Celebration, now in its second year, to bring cultures and people together. She has a broad vision of what the NJSO can be and is committed to working within both the Newark community, where NJSO is based, as well as the community at-large. She has worked to bring favorite works to the greater public, for example programming events like the performance of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, combining this with the creation of a community chorus, Newark Voices, which includes local voices, united in song.
Opening night for the ‘20-‘21 season features a powerful new violin concerto by Tyshawn Sorey, who was a student musician in NJSO’s Jazz program and is now a world renowned composer and MacArthur Genius. This worked is paired with a recreation of a very special concert on December 8, 1813, featuring Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony, which Beethoven, at this premiere, is said to have noted that he considered it one of his best. Also on the bill was “Wellington’s Victory,” which will be included here as well. New and classic music all on one bill–truly something for everyone!
A brand new work will be a jazz French horn concerto, commissioned by NJSO for Principal Horn Chris Komer, who will appear as soloist with a jazz combo and with the full orchestra. It was written by four composers, each contributing a movement: Paquito D’Rivera, along with Vivian Li, Christian McBride and Gary Morgan. Then, Gemma New conducts the US premiere of a co-commissioned work by Thomas Adès, and the East Coast premiere of Conrad Tao’s “Spoonfuls” for Piano and Orchestra will be performed by the composer with the NJSO conducted by guest conductor Jader Bignamini! What a lineup!
The 2021 Winter Festival is an exploration of what makes music “American.” “Gershwin & the Sounds of America” brings the works of George Gershwin and other composers who combine classical and popular music—this is something you won’t want to miss. What makes music classical, pop, or jazz? This brings together the full range of New Jersey talent and expertise in one powerful package.
There is also a big Beethoven Anniversary–a huge celebration of the 250th anniversary of the composer’s birth! While in 2020, you may hear performances of all the Piano Concertos, in 2021 NJSO presents works that are less familiar, or performed in a new way. In addition to Beethoven’s Seventh with “Wellington’s Victory,” Eric Wyrick, NJSO’s Concertmaster, will also be playing three different violin and piano concertos with three different pianists! Beethoven fans, mark your calendars accordingly!
The family fun continues with NJSO playing “Harry Potter”, “Jurassic Park,” and “Star Wars” in concert! There are also a Lemony Snicket mystery and Benjamin Britten’s “A Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra” on tap!
Work by women composers will be featured. In addition to Vivian Li’s work in January ’21 in the jazz concerto, Jessie Montgomery’s “Starburst” appears in early December and Rene Orth’s “Chasing Light” is in June.
Under the baton of Xian Zhang and with stellar guest conductors, including the dynamic New, returning to her NJSO roots, where she was associate conductor, there is something for every musical palate from Classics to Contemporary Classical. Now, even more highly sought after, New is taking the musical world by storm. Joined in the new season by guest conductors Bignamini, Jun Markle and Mario Venzago, this season is must-hear!
Chamberlain is most excited about many parts of the season, so it’s impossible for him to pick a single favorite. The new season will consolidate Xian’s vision for the orchestra. It’s her fifth season and it is the true realization of her musicianship and direction. She brings together local community, international soloists, and seven NJSO musicians, who will be specially-featured soloists this season. Chamberlain says, “[This 20/21 Season] is the fruition of vision that looks forward to the NJSO centennial and sets us up for the NEXT 100 years as the orchestra of New Jersey.”
Give the gift of community to friends and family. We always need gifts for something–Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Dads and Grads–so give the gift of Music by visiting www.njsymphony.org.