New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



New Jersey Festival Orchestra presents "Faith Meets Fantasy"

Friday, September 27, 2024 @ 7:00pm



St. Helen's Church
1600 Rahway Ave, Westfield, NJ 07090

Under the baton of Maestro David Wroe, acclaimed guest cellist Mo Mo joins NJ Festival Orchestra (NJFO) to perform the Crouching Tiger: Hidden Dragon Concerto, a concert work based on Tan Dun’s score for Ang Lee's Oscar-winning mystical martial arts film. Mo Mo, from Beijing, China, was specially selected by composer Tan as one of the few official performers of his Oscar-winning score, originally written for Yo Yo Ma. 

Hollywood fantasy meets Bruckner’s dream world. Internationally acclaimed virtuoso cellist Mo Mo joins NJFO to present Tan's Dun’s award-winning cello concerto from Ang Lee's Oscar-winning mystical martial arts film, Crouching Tiger: Hidden Dragon as we celebrate the 200th anniversary of Anton Bruckner’s birth.

“Anton Bruckner is one of the greatest ‘unsung’ classical music composers of all time,” continued Wroe. “He could arguably claim to have foretold the sound of Hollywood. Come join with us as we unpack his innovative approach to composing and celebrate his life and influence with a performance of his renowned masterpiece – the magnificent Symphony No. 7.”

​Meet our soloist: Mo Mo began his cello studies with Professor Song Tao at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing at the age of 6, and later with the legendary Brazilian-American cellist Aldo Parisot at Yale School of Music. His accolades include top prizes at international competitions such as the 2016 Schoenfeld International String Competition in Harbin, China, and the 2017 Koussevitzky Young Artist Award in New York. His other mentors includes Mula Na, Laurence Lesser, and Philippe Muller.



Program            

Tan Dun

The Crouching Tiger: Hidden Dragon Concerto

Featuring Mo Mo, cello

Anton Bruckner    

Symphony No.7 in E major

 

Artists  

Mo Mo    Soloist

David Wroe    Conductor

New Jersey Festival Orchestra




For information on how your event can be listed, click here



 

Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month,
click here for info

UPCOMING EVENTS





 

Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month,
click here for info


 

EVENT PREVIEWS

(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents a Spring Season of Jazz with free monthly jazz jams at Clement's Place and two special concert events inside the Victoria Theater. This series, running from September through June, is co-presented by NJPAC's Jazz Advisory Committee and Rutgers University–Newark's Institute of Jazz Studies (IJS). Immerse yourself in the relaxing sounds of jazz music that stimulate the players’ and listeners' minds.



PBS'

PBS' Independent Lens Launches 20th Season of Free Pop-Up Screening Series in Teaneck and Nationwide

(TEANECK, NJ) -- The award-winning PBS documentary series, INDEPENDENT LENS, presents the launch of the upcoming season of Indie Lens Pop-Up in partnership with the Teaneck International Film Festival and the Puffin Cultural Forum. The season kicks-off on February 4, 2026 with The Librarians and continues through May. The series is free for all but sign up is required.



State

State Theatre New Jersey presents The Sound Studio Series 2026

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey proudly presents The Sound Studio Series, an immersive musical experience that places concertgoers at the very heart of the performance. Held in STNJ's intimate Studio space, limited to just 80 attendees, The Sound Studio Series features a dynamic mix of both classical and rock performances. Each concert concludes with an exclusive post-show meet-and-greet with the artists, offering fans a rare opportunity to connect directly with the performers. Tickets for the series are $20-$30.



Morven

Morven Museum & Garden's Grand Homes & Gardens returns with a new series for America's 250th

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- Morven Museum & Garden's popular speaker series Grand Homes & Gardens returns for 2026. Coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Freedom at Home: Telling the Full Story of America's Founding Homes and Gardens examines four estates belonging to five signers of the Declaration: William Paca, Richard Henry Lee, Francis Lightfoot Lee, Thomas Jefferson, and Arthur Middleton.



Faith

Faith and Frosting Collide in "The Cake" at Bergen County Players

(ORADELL, NJ) -- Enjoy a touching and topical dramedy as love clashes with conscience in Bergen County Players' (BCP) production of The Cake. The play, written by Bekah Brunstetter, producer/writer for the hit TV series This Is Us, is directed by Carol Fisher of Teaneck. It opens March 14 and runs through April 11, 2026 at the Little Firehouse Theatre in Oradell.












LATEST COLUMNS


Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Promises" by Dave Vargo

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "Promises" from Jersey Shore-based roots rocker Dave Vargo's latest album, "Ghost Towns."




Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 04/02/2026

"Yeah, we are looking forward to it," said guitarist Johnny A of The Johnny A Trio just prior to their recent New York City Iridium appearance.




Winifred McNeill: "Between Air and Earth"

Any good cook will tell you that reducing something doesn't always mean diminishing it. Sometimes it's the best way to intensify its personality. Size, we've learned in the era of streaming entertainment on tiny phone screens, does not determine how clearly a thing communicates. If it fills our senses, it can slip right into our bloodstream.




This Week in Music

Here is a look at shows taking place this week along with our featured listings and a look at some upcoming shows. New Jersey Stage offers previews of concerts throughout the Garden State as well as select shows in New York City and Philadelphia areas