Markus Stenz, photo (c) Max Heiliger
(NEWARK, NJ) -- The New Jersey Symphony presents Ludwig van Beethoven's iconic Fifth Symphony on Thursday, February 26 at 7:00pm at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown; Friday, February 27 at 7:30pm; and Sunday, March 1, 2026 at 2:00pm at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark.
Markus Stenz returns to take the podium for Beethoven's Fifth Symphony paired with Richard Wagner's Prelude to Act I of Lohengrin. Audiences will also hear Kevin Puts' GRAMMY Award-winning concerto, Contact, composed for the genre-defying string trio, Time For Three.
Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 will take place on Thursday, February 26 at 7:00pm at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, and Friday, February 27 at 7:30pm and Sunday, March 1 at 2:00pm at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark. Prior to the Friday, February 27 performance, the New Jersey Symphony Next Gen program will host a happy hour event at Newark Local Beer at 5:30pm. The Next Gen program is a membership program for young music enthusiasts between the ages of 21 and 40 to network with other passionate music lovers from across the state.
Tickets are available at njsymphony.org.
Conductor Markus Stenz has held several high-profile positions including Principal Conductor of the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, Principal Guest of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and most recently Conductor-In-Residence of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra. He was General Music Director of the City of Cologne and Gürzenich-Kapellmeister for 11 years, conducting Mozart's Don Giovanni, Wagner's Ring cycle, Lohengrin, Tannhäuser, and Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, as well as Janáček's Jenůfa and Katya Kábanová and Eötvös' Love and other Demons.
He made his opera debut in 1988 at Teatro La Fenice in Venice and, following highly successful concert weeks with the Orchestra, last season he conducted a new production of Wagner's Der fliegende Holländer and returns in the next two seasons for Ariadne auf Naxos and Lohengrin. In 2018 Markus conducted Schreker's Die Gezeichneten at the Bayerische Staatsoper Munich and 2018 also saw the world premiere of György Kurtág's Fin de partie at Teatro alla Scala Milan where, he conducted Strauss' Elektra. This was followed by performances of Fin de partie for Dutch National Opera and its French premiere at Opéra National de Paris.
In 2023-24 Markus returned to Dutch National Opera to conduct Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny, traveled to Hangzhou in China for Die Walküre, and conducted a special performance of György Kurtag's Fin de partie in the composer's hometown of Budapest before touring for performances in Hamburg and Cologne. He returned to Orchestre National de Lyon and, following a very successful debut with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra with Mahler Symphony No. 2 in 2022, he returned for Bruckner Symphony No 7. In Italy he conducts both Orchestra della Toscana and Fondazione Haydn di Bolzano, and further afield returns to New Jersey Symphony and makes his debut with Naples Philharmonic Orchestra. In Germany he will conduct programs with the MDR Sinfonieorchester, the Stuttgarter Philharmoniker, and the Staatskapelle Halle among others.
Recent symphonic highlights include his debut with the Orchestra dell'Academia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome, multiple appearances with the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, and regular visits to three orchestras where he previously held positions: Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Gürzenich-Orchester Köln. Further, he conducted the RSO Vienna, the Dresdner Philharmonie, and the Staatskapelle Weimar.
While with the Gürzenich-Orchester Köln, Markus received the prize for 'The Best Concert Programme of the 2003-04 Season' as well as initiating a number of youth and educational projects such as 'Experiment Klassik,' '3. Akt,' and the concert live-recording project 'GO live.' His extensive discography includes many prize-winning recordings including the Gürzenich Orchestra's complete cycle of Gustav Mahler's symphonies with Symphony No. 5 receiving the German Record Critics' Award; Strauss' Don Quixote and Till Eulenspiegel both received unanimous critical acclaim, followed by an equally celebrated recording of Schönberg's Gurrelieder released in 2015, receiving the Choral Award at the 2016 Gramophone Awards. Markus Stenz studied at the Hochschule für Musik in Cologne under Volker Wangenheim and at Tanglewood with Leonard Bernstein and Seiji Ozawa. He has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship of the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester and the 'Silberne Stimmgabel' (Silver Tuning Fork) of the state of North Rhein/Westphalia.
Time For Three - GRAMMY and Emmy-winning ensemble, Time For Three (TF3), defies convention and boundaries by showcasing excellence across different genres, including classical music, Americana, and singer-songwriter. Their unique sound captivates audiences, immersing them in a musical experience that merges various eras, styles, and traditions of Western music. TF3, consisting of Charles Yang (violin, vocals), Nicolas "Nick" Kendall (violin, vocals), and Ranaan Meyer (double bass, vocals), combines their instruments and voices in a remarkable sound, establishing a distinct voice of expression that resonates with listeners worldwide.
TF3's longstanding history of collaboration with contemporary classical composers continues to thrive. They have worked closely with esteemed artists such as Chris Brubeck and Pulitzer Prize winners William Bolcom and Jennifer Higdon. Their most recent commission, Contact, composed by Pulitzer Prize winner Kevin Puts, premiered with the San Francisco Symphony and The Philadelphia Orchestra in the summer of 2022. This extraordinary piece, alongside Jennifer Higdon's Concerto 4-3, was released on Deutsche Grammophon under the album title, Letters for the Future. Conducted by Xian Zhang, the album's exceptional quality propelled it onto the Billboard top 10 Classical Recordings charts. Additionally, it garnered a nomination for an Opus Klassik award and received a GRAMMY win in the Best Classical Instrumental Solo category.
Renowned for their charismatic and energetic performances, TF3 has garnered praise from respected outlets including NPR, NBC, The Wall Street Journal, and the Chicago Sun-Times. They have graced illustrious stages such as Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, and The Royal Albert Hall, effortlessly adapting their inimitable and versatile style to intimate venues like Joe's Pub in New York or Yoshi's in San Francisco. TF3 was featured on the acclaimed "Night of the Proms" tour, sharing stages with renowned artists like Chaka Khan and Ronan Keating across several European countries. Their collaborations span a diverse range of artists, including Ben Folds, Branford Marsalis, Joshua Bell, Aoife O'Donovan, Natasha Bedingfield, and Arlo Guthrie.
TF3's exceptional talents have earned them a GRAMMY win and also secured them an Emmy for "Time For Three In Concert," produced by PBS. Their appetite for new experiences led them to collaborate with cellist and composer Ben Sollee, creating the soundtrack for Focus Features' film Land, directed by Robin Wright. Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2021. TF3 teamed up with GRAMMY-winning songwriter Liz Rose and GRAMMY-winning producer Femke Weidema for new recordings released by Warner Music. They also contributed to Summer Walker's R&B hit, Constant Bullsxxt, showcasing their versatility across genres.
Time For Three's artistic achievements, fueled by their relentless pursuit of musical excellence, have solidified their status as a remarkable ensemble. Their GRAMMY win and extraordinary collaborations speak to their unwavering dedication to pushing creative boundaries and captivating audiences with their exceptional talent.
Beethoven's Fifth Symphony
Time For Three Plays Contact
Markus Stenz conductor
Time For Three guest artists
Ranaan Meyer double bass
Nick Kendall violin
Charles Yang violin
New Jersey Symphony
Richard Wagner Prelude to Act I of Lohengrin
Kevin Puts Contact
Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony No. 5
Morristown - Thursday, February 26 @ 7:00pm
Newark - Friday, February 27 @ 7:30pm & Sunday, March 1 @ 2:00pm
New Jersey Symphony is a GRAMMY and Emmy Award-winning orchestra. Under the direction of Music Director Xian Zhang, the Symphony performs more than 55 mainstage concerts across the state at venues in Newark, Princeton, New Brunswick, Red Bank, and Morristown, as well as at schools and public spaces statewide. Programming at the Symphony reflects an unwavering commitment to diverse communities throughout the state, while providing students unparalleled opportunities to achieve musical excellence through its Youth Orchestra and other education programs. In 2024, the Symphony announced it would continue to deliver its statewide activities from a new, permanent office, rehearsal, and concert space in Jersey City, set to open in 2027.
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