From the first concert at the venerable Montclair Art Museum in 1922 to the present day concert venues at NJPAC, in Morristown, Princeton, Red Bank and more, the New Jersey Symphony celebrated its first 100 years and prepared to ring in the next century during a Gala and Concert November 12 where so many stars came out, the constellations were eclipsed. Entire families, multiple generations, milled about
the buzzing atrium of the Prudential Theatre then went to take their seats under the benevolent gaze of the crystal chandelier, scattering spectral rainbows in its path. Gabriel van Aalst, President of the New Jersey Symphony, greeted the audience who packed the Hall to the rafters and gave us a connection with the past and the flavor of what was to come. The first piece was Wynton Marsalis’ “Herald, Holler and Hallelujah” featured the brass section of the Symphony serenading us from an upper level on audience left, priming us for what was to come with this energetic piece where elements of early 20 th century music including Stravinsky and Cole Porter are combined with Marsalis flair into thrumming city-energy that reminds us music is the heartbeat and rhythm is in all of us.
Charles F. Lowrey, the chair for this special Gala and the Chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial, spoke eloquently of the importance of culture and the commitment to the arts that make all of our lives more textured. This was a beautiful lead-in to the Dvorák Cello Concerto in B Minor, Op 104 featuring world- renowned phenom Yo-Yo Ma. Ma was joyfully in his element and the Symphony returned his energy and joie de vivre. There was such a connection between Ma and Conductor Xian Zhang and also with Concert Master Eric Wyrick that as they worked together, there seemed to be a gossamer thread just beyond our ability to see that wove magic in the music. My heart beat faster and my companion and I traded glances during Ma and Wyrick’s exchanges – and a frisson rippled through the audience as well. We all rose at the end, as one with thunderous applause and at one point, Ma was dancing as he came out for yet-another well deserved curtain call. How do you follow that?! With the New Jersey Ballet.
Alberto Ginastera’s Selections from Four Dances from Estancia were brought to life by 4 winsome couples from New Jersey Ballet, who gave form to these lush Argentine influenced dances in pas de deux and ensemble creations. We saw a story unfold and the dancers were breathtaking in skill and artistry. The final event of the evening was a special surprise featuring Daniel Bernard Roumain featuring audience participation where we learned not only is he an excellent conductor, but the Gala audience took
direction well!
The New Jersey Symphony is well and truly launched for their Centennial Season! Get your tickets now at https://www.njsymphony.org for Messiah December 16 and 18 and the next concerts in 2023.