Although the sun is shining brightly on this Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017 afternoon, there’s a chill in the air outside New Brunswick, NJ’s historic State Theatre. As such, audience members quickly stream into the warm and inviting auditorium prepared to experience today’s exciting musical program — the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra’s Winter Festival: Zukerman Plays Tchaikovsky concert presentation.
Following successful performances of this program at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark on Friday, Jan. 13, and at the Count Basie Theater in Red Bank on Saturday, Jan. 14, expectations are high for Pinchas Zukerman and the NJSO to present a top-quality presentation this afternoon. At the conclusion of the program, it’s clear to everyone present that this world-class violinist and conductor is an unparalleled musical force to be reckoned with, and along with the accomplished members of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Zukerman more than delivers the goods.
Named “a vital, artistically significant musical organization” by The Wall Street Journal, the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra presents a series of acclaimed classical, pops, and family performances throughout New Jersey every year. The resident orchestra of NJPAC in Newark, the NJSO also regularly performs at such venues as The State Theatre in New Brunswick, the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, Richardson Auditorium in Princeton, the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, and the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood.
Moreover, every year, the NJSO presents its annual Winter Festival, a mini-season of concerts designed to lift the spirits of concertgoers following the winter holidays. For its 2017 season, the group decided to feature violinist extraordinaire and conductor Pinchas Zukerman as artistic director for a series of three concert weekends at a variety of locations throughout the state.
This weekend, the program features the music of Tchaikovsky, along with a performance of a symphony composed by Mendelssohn. The second weekend — January 20–22 — has a program which features Zukerman and the NJSO performing works including the overture to Samuel Barber’s “School for Scandal,” Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, and Camille Saint-Saens’ Symphony №3, “Organ,” all led by Venezuelan conductor Christian Vásquez. For the final weekend — Jan. 26–29 — Zukerman will again conduct and perform as a soloist on such pieces as Bach’s Violin Concerto №2, “Verklarte Nacht” and Beethoven’s “Eroica.”
Regarding Zukerman’s artistry, The Herald (Glasgow) has written: “You could have blindfolded an experienced listener, put him in a different room where he could scarcely hear the sounds, and he’d still recognize that liquid, Zukerman tone. There is no other like it … His sound is utterly inimitable — as it has been for more than 30 years — from its intense sweetness on high to its throaty richness at the depths of the instrument … And the molten gold that streams from the instrument is completely breathtaking.”
Pinchas Zukerman was born in Tel Aviv in 1948 and came to New York City in 1962 to study at The Julliard School. Since then, he’s gone on to become one of the leading violinists of our time, as well as a world-renowned conductor and esteemed faculty member of the Manhattan School of Music. His extensive collection of recordings includes over 100 titles, earning him two Grammy awards and 21 Grammy nominations. He has also been awarded the National Medal of Arts, the highest award given to artists as presented by the President of the United States, in addition to the Isaac Stern Award for Artistic Excellence, a National Arts Award, presented by Americans for the Arts.
Opening this afternoon’s performance of Winter Festival: Zukerman Plays Tchaikovsky at The State Theatre is “Melodie” from Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir d’un Lieu Cher, Op. 42.
Featuring Zukerman as an instrumentalist, the skilled musicians of the NJSO follow the maestro as he simultaneously plays and conducts “Melodie” with his violin bow and they flawlessly perform along with him as a single synchronized unit. Effortlessly trilling and thrilling with his marvelous violin playing, Zukerman creates a line that extends from his bow right through the orchestra and out into the audience, reeling listeners into the music and making them one with the glorious sound of this magnificent piece.
Following enthusiastic applause, Zukerman and the orchestra perform Tchaikovsky’s Serenade Melancolique, Op. 26.
Again conducting with his bow — all while leading in the mournful sound — Zukerman captivates the orchestra members and audience alike with the call and response of his violin with the other instruments. The orchestra’s soft pizzicato supports the flawless melody which emanates from Zukerman’s violin and sounds reminiscent of an enchanted bird caroling in heartfelt expression.
At the conclusion of this emotional piece, Zukerman seems pleased by the audience’s enthusiastic reaction and invites the orchestra to rise in acknowledgement of the powerful exhange experienced by all present.
Leaving his violin behind, Zukerman takes the conductor’s podium for a performance of Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings in C Major, Op. 48.
In the first movement, “Pezzo in forma di sonatina,” Zukerman gracefully opens his arms and welcomes the orchestra to begin the piece.
As the composition develops, each of the instruments of the string section — violins, violas, cellos, and basses — travel along with Zukerman as he leads them on an exciting musical journey. As the music rises and falls, the maestro leads the NJSO to fill the room with stunning sound created by this experienced and strikingly cohesive group of instrumentalists.
In “Valse,” the second movement, the instruments create their own dance as they follow the notes of the music brought to life under Zukerman’s expert guidance from the podium, creating an intricate treat for the senses.
During the third movement, “Elegie,” stage lights reflect off the shellacked bodies of the violins, violas, cellos and basses, bringing illumination to the soul of the orchestra.
The musicians respond with appropriate swelling and movement as requested by Zukerman’s baton, which entices them to perform in a prayerful manner at times, all building to a plea in the “Finale” when the maestro brings the piece to its satisfying conclusion and the audience brings Zukerman back for another bow.
During intermission, the NJSO invites audience members to make their way down the main aisles to ask any questions they may have of several orchestra members seated at the foot of the stage.
At this time, we take a moment to chat briefly with Adriana Rosin, the Assistant Concert Master of the NJSO.
According to Rosin, she “loves playing in the various theaters of New Jersey,” stating that “each is unique and has its own special charm.” She also notes that “working with Mr. Zukerman has been a real treat for the NJSO” because “he has so much to offer — especially for the string players,” and he’s “also extremely generous with his expertise to every member of the Orchestra.”
Following intermission, Zukerman and the NJSO return to the stage to perform Mendelssohn’s Symphony №4 in A Major, “Italian,” Op. 90.
Again conducting from the podium, Zukerman makes this well-known piece his own starting with the “Allegro vivace,” dynamically interpreting the symphony’s glorious melodic runs.
Moving on to the “Andante con moto,” Zukerman coaxes the musicians with his fluid gestures, the basses marching along while leading the orchestra. Throughout the “Con moto moderato” and the “Saltarello: Presto” — whether caressing the orchestra through a gentle segment or leading them in a powerful passage — Zukerman deftly and insightfully communicates his interpretation of the music directly to the audience via the medium of his adept musical counterparts, resulting in a breathtaking performance.
And if his musical and leadership skills aren’t impressive enough, it is simply remarkable to note that Mr. Zukerman — ever the consummate instrumentalist and conductor — has performed this entire orchestral program strictly from memory!
After a standing ovation and cheers from the packed house, as they exit the auditorium, several members of the audience stop to chat about their experiences here at the State Theatre this afternoon.
Connor, a music major at Rutgers University from Metuchin, NJ, calls this program “fantastic.” According to Connor, he is able to take advantage of a special program which enables students like himself to see as many concerts as they like in any given concert season for one low price of $25. As such, he attends as many performances as he can “as a source of inspiration” to improve his own musicianship by, as he reveals, “listening to and observing the best musicians in the state.”
Simone, from Branch Brook, has been a NJSO subscriber for many years because, as she explains, “they are one of the best orchestras around.” Simone has also been “a loyal Pinchas Zukerman fan” for many years and is happy to note that, based on what she and others have experienced this afternoon, “he is still as talented as ever!”
Lastly, we’re able to chat with three youngsters in the audience, brought to this afternoon’s program by their parents. The three boys — brothers Asher and Landon and their friend Quinn — all hail from Cranbury, NJ. They are here today with their families because Asher and Landon and their parents recently met Mr. Zukerman in Aspen, CO when he was there to perform, and wanted an opportunity to hear him play back in their home state.
About the concert, Quinn says he “really liked it” because “it sounded classical.” Landon also talks about how much he “loved it,” too.
Landon’s older brother Asher — a budding musician himself — however, exclaims, “I loved the solo part!” And perhaps echoing the thoughts of many others present at the State Theatre this afternoon, he enthusiastically characterizes this performance by Pinchas Zukerman and the NJSO as “the best thing I’ve ever heard!”
For more concerts in the NJSO’s Winter Festival series featuring Pinchas Zukerman — including the Zukerman and Beethoven’s Violin Concerto program on January 20–22 and the Zukerman Delights with Bach and Beethoven program on Jan. 26–29, both at multiple locations throughout the state — please go to www.njsymphony.org. Also, for more information on additional upcoming concerts at The State Theatre in New Brunswick — including The Bamberg Symphony on February 7, the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine on February 19, and The Russian National Ballet Theatre’s presentation of Sleeping Beauty on March 4 — please visit www.statetheatrenj.org.
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