The weekend of October 8-10 this year heralded New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO)’s return to LIVE performance at the beautiful New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) Prudential Hall in the heart of the arts in Newark. The program included a world premiere of a co-commission of NJSO, another dazzling new work with the composer performing as soloist, and a Ludwig van Beethoven favorite to close the program. Rather than the traditional two-act program, this was a bejeweled gift in one act of about 100 minutes, designed to get people the live music we love with minimal exposure to one another.
Walking in to NJPAC, patrons were asked to show proof of vaccination or testing and we were all masked throughout the afternoon. Since this event was on the weekend preceding Indigenous Person’s Day, the event began with an acknowledgement of the land upon which NJPAC stands and that we are all stewards of the Earth, taking care of all there is in the abundance to assure it continues for future generations. This brought a sparkle to the eye.
Gabriel van Aalst, President and CEO of NJSO, acted as our MC and navigator in our brave new world, welcoming us back to our second home. There was a “Star Spangled Banner,” with a swelling of singing along by the audience, encouraged by Xian Zhang, the Music Director and charismatic conductor for NJSO.
There was a keynote speech on October 10, the Gala Opening Dinner to follow the concert, by Laura Garrett. Mrs. Garret and her husband Robert served as co-chairs for the Gala and she spoke eloquently of the value of the music we love. And oh, the music!
Michael Abels’ “Emerge” is a work that the composer wrote to depict musicians coming back together and the work builds in complexity from early glimmers to the full light of a new day. Sonorous, then discordant, then full of wonder, then to a lyrical central section that builds to a flowering, majestic gloriously beautiful moment. After the final notes rang through Prudential Hall, and we had a moment to linger in the afterglow, Michael Abels came out, greeted by thunderous applause. Then, it was Daniel Bernard Roumain(DBR)’s turn.
DBR, is NJSO’s Resident Artistic Catalyst. He has been called musically omnivorous and endlessly collaborative and his “Voodoo Violin Concerto” is a vivid example of his genius. Striding out onstage in concert black and vibrant red athletic shoes, the reason soon became clear. Carrying one violin with another already waiting onstage on a stand, we knew we were in for something special. There was a pedal array and an amplifier as well–pedals for a violin? Oh YES!
Every bit of music DBR has ever experienced is in this well-orchestrated modern work that made the need for the athletic shoes visible. Dancing while playing the violin, changing its voice and timbre and emotion with the pedals, DBR takes us through an exhaustive history of music while displaying his dazzling technical skills. He is a superhero whose power is composition creating community uniting fans of spy films, jazz, orchestral action as he limns life with classical aplomb. Dynamic flow and glissando-riffic technique are in the mix with gospel hymns, the “Star Spangled Banner,” and more. Toward the end there appears to be a nod to “At Last” and later a feline Doppler-esque nod to Jean-Michel Jarre, a call and response with orchestra, then audience. After the final notes, the audience was on its feet and a heartfelt speech by DBR closed us out.
Take a BREATH! How do you follow two new works like these? With the supreme architect of music, Beethoven! Symphony Number Seven in A Major Opus 92 is also a favorite of Maestra Xian as she conducted the piece sans score. From the Poco sostenuto–Vivace, starting slow and then bursting with joy, through the Allegretto, the Presto to the Allegro con brio with its rollicking galumphing playfulness, the brilliance of Beethoven was just what was needed to top off this program and put a button on it. Tell the world, NJSO is BACK!
For tickets and more information, be sure to visit https://www.njsymphony.org.