Newark, New Jersey — The Grammy Award-winning violin virtuoso, Joshua Bell, is set to grace the stage with the New Jersey Symphony in a captivating concert. The program will feature Mendelssohn’s breathtaking Violin Concerto and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4. Music enthusiasts will have the chance to witness these exceptional performances on Thursday, November 30 at 1:30 pm and Friday, December 1 at 8:00 pm at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark, and on Sunday, December 3 at 3:00 pm at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown.
In a truly unique presentation, Bell, renowned across the globe for his musical prowess, will not only be the soloist in the incredibly virtuosic violin concerto but will also assume the conductor’s role, leading the orchestra from the concertmaster’s chair throughout the entire program, including Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4. The program will also include Mendelssohn’s Overture to his opera, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” a piece inspired by Shakespeare’s renowned play.
Joshua Bell, an Indiana native, has been a professional violinist since the age of 14. He is currently embarking on a world tour with major orchestras, including the New Jersey Symphony, and has recently released a new album on Sony Classical, titled “Butterfly Lovers.” Bell’s commitment to expanding the boundaries of classical music led him to commission a series of new works for violin and orchestra called “The Elements.” These pieces were composed by Jake Heggie, Jennifer Higdon, Edgar Meyer, Jessie Montgomery, and Kevin Puts.
In addition to his packed concert schedule, Bell holds the position of Music Director for the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, a prestigious chamber orchestra based in London.
For those eager to experience this extraordinary performance, tickets are available for purchase online or by calling 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476). As a special treat for ticketholders, the Symphony extends an invitation to join a free classical conversation starting one hour before the performance on Friday, December 1 at 7:00 pm and Sunday, December 3 at 2:00 pm. Here, attendees can delve deeper into the music with insights from New Jersey Symphony musicians, guest artists, and other engaging insiders.
The Emmy and Grammy Award-winning New Jersey Symphony is a trailblazer in redefining what it means to be a nationally leading, relevant orchestra in the 21st century. The Symphony has made a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion by championing new and often local artists, engaging audiences who are new to the world of classical music, and ensuring the broadest possible representation in all aspects of the organization. This approach aligns with the vibrant and diverse communities it serves. Since 2021, Music Director Xian Zhang has collaborated with composer, violinist, educator, and social-justice advocate Daniel Bernard Roumain, the orchestra’s Resident Artistic Catalyst, to create programming that resonates with the diverse communities of Newark and throughout New Jersey.
Event Details:
Conductor and Violinist: Joshua Bell
Orchestra: New Jersey Symphony
Performance Dates and Locations:
Newark → Thursday, November 30, 1:30 pm, New Jersey
Performing Arts Center
Newark → Friday, December 1, 8:00 pm, New Jersey Performing
Arts Center
Morristown → Sunday, December 3, 3:00 pm, Mayo Performing Arts Center
Program:
Mendelssohn Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Mendelssohn Violin Concerto
Beethoven Symphony No. 4
Internationally acclaimed Chinese American conductor Xian Zhang has been the Music Director of the New Jersey Symphony since 2016. Under her leadership, the Symphony has embraced an industry-leading commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in its mainstage concerts. As it enters its second century of bringing the joy of music to the people of New Jersey, the Symphony has an exciting lineup for 2023–24, featuring audience favorites like Orff’s “Carmina Burana,” Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons,” and pianist Daniil Trifonov performing Gershwin’s “Concerto in F.” The Symphony is also proudly co-commissioning Anna Clyne’s “ATLAS,” and esteemed composers Rob Kapilow and Daniel Bernard Roumain will present world premieres, all in an effort to continue enriching the cultural landscape of New Jersey.
