Shostakovich: Piano Concerto No. 2
Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C, Op. 67
Shostakovich: Selections from The Gadfly
Founded in 1900, the Philadelphia Orchestra has distinguished itself as one of the world's leading orchestras through its thrilling performances, historic international tours and best-selling recordings. The orchestra appears at NJPAC under the leadership of its new Music Director, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, and features guest soloist Kirill Gerstein on piano.
The selections by Shostakovich are excerpts from The Gadfly, composed for the 1955 Soviet film of the same title, and the lighthearted Second Piano Concerto.
Kirill Gerstein's curiosity has led him to explore repertoire spanning centuries and styles, making him one of today's most intriguing and versatile musicians. His early training and forays into jazz were important in shaping his interpretive style and energetic and expressive musical personality.
Yannick Nézet-Séguin is the eighth music director in the Philadelphia Orchestra's lineage, which also includes Leopold Stokowski, Eugene Ormandy, Wolfgang Sawallisch and Christoph Eschenbach. He is Music Director of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and Principal Guest Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
FREE PRE-PERFORMANCE TALK:
George Marriner Maull will host a Bank of America Classical Overture pre-performance talk, free to all ticket-holders. Learn more about the evening's program, gain valuable insight into the artists and composers, and deepen your experience by learning just what to listen for during the live performance. The talk begins one hour prior to curtain.
New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located in downtown Newark, New Jersey, is among the largest performing arts centers in the United States and is the artistic, cultural, educational and civic center of New Jersey -- where great performances and events enhance and transform lives every day. As New Jersey's Town Square, NJPAC brings diverse communities together, providing access to all and showcasing the State's and the world's best artists while acting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of its home city. Through its extensive Arts Education programs, NJPAC is shaping the next generation of artists and arts enthusiasts. NJPAC has attracted over eight million visitors (including more than one million children) since opening its doors in 1997, and nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships with each of its constituents. Visit www.njpac.org or call 888.GO.NJPAC for more information.