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New Jersey Symphony presents Lunar New Year Celebration

originally published: 01/25/2022

(NEWARK, NJ) -- The New Jersey Symphony presents its Lunar New Year Celebration concert on January 29 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark. Music Director Xian Zhang and Assistant Conductor Tong Chen conduct the concert, which will be recorded live for video broadcast. SinoVision and the Symphony will premiere the concert broadcast on February 5.

The performance takes place January 29 at 7:30pm at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark. Tickets are available online at njsymphony.org or by phone at 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476).

The Edison Chinese School Lion Dance Team opens the concert with a special performance. The festive Symphony program kicks off with Li Huanzhi’s Spring Festival Overture and features traditional favorites Dance of the Yao People, “Jasmine Flower” and “Red Dragonfly” alongside Chopin’s Andante Spianato and Grande Polonaise Brillante; Alleluia from Mozart’s Exsultate, jubilate; “Long Time Ago” from Copland’s Old American Songs; Strauss Jr.’s Thunder and Lightning Polka and Hans Christian Lumbye’s Champagne Galop.

The orchestra welcomes pianist and soprano Chelsea Guo to the stage and shares virtual performances by the Peking University Alumni Chorus and Starry Arts Group Children’s Chorus.

The concert broadcast premieres on SinoVision and on the New Jersey Symphony’s YouTube channel on February 5 at 7:00pm. It will remain available on demand for free at njsymphony.org and on YouTube.

 

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The Symphony also presents a virtual festival, with new performances by special guests premiering daily from January 24–28 and remaining available on demand. Featured videos include Guo performing “Jasmine Flower”; violist Hsin-Yun Huang, pianist Lucas Armory and dancer Shu-Chen Cuff performing “Molto vivo” from Ernest Bloch’s Suite for Viola and Piano; pianist Min Kwon performing selections from her America/Beautiful commissioning project; the Starry Arts Group Children’s Chorus performing Zhang Wen-Gang’s “Our Land” and violinist Jisun Kim performing Pablo de Sarasate’s Carmen Fantasy with Kwon. New Jersey Symphony Assistant Principal Cello Nayoung Baek hosts a special interview with Kim and Kwon.

All New Jersey Symphony performances follow safety measures in partnership with the venue and based on the guidance provided by the CDC and the State of New Jersey.

More information is available at njsymphony.org/LNY.

The New Jersey Symphony will redefine what it means to be a nationally leading, relevant orchestra in the 21st century. Through adventurous performances, hands-on educational experiences and robust community programming, we encourage everyone to enjoy the power and creativity of orchestral music in all its forms. Across genres and venues, for audiences of all walks of life, we strive to bring music that’s meaningful to you, to you.

As we look toward celebrating our centennial, we are renewing our deeply rooted commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion by championing new, and often local, artists; engaging audiences for whom the inspiring depth and breadth of classical music will be new; and incorporating the broadest possible representation in all aspects of our organization—all to better reflect and serve our vibrant communities.

Our expansive educational offerings—including our youth orchestras, masterclasses and virtual learning opportunities—will build the next generation of listeners and musicians and help students grow, both musically and personally. And we will continue to seek new ways to connect with all New Jerseyans, through programs that resonate with a variety of cultural and musical backgrounds, as well as digital innovations that make our orchestra accessible to anyone, anywhere, anytime.

The New Jersey Symphony’s programs are made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, along with many other foundations, corporations and individual donors.

PHOTO BY FRED STUCKER