(NEWARK, NJ) -- Former Music Director Neeme Järvi returns to conduct the New Jersey Symphony March 25—26. One of the most celebrated conductors of our time, Järvi, who served as Music Director from 2005–2009, will lead the orchestra through one of Tchaikovsky’s most popular works, his Symphony No. 4. William Grant Still’s “Afro-American” Symphony and Arvo Pärt's Cantus in Memoriam Benjamin Britten opens the concert.
Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 is known for dramatic and emotional passages that reflected the chaos of his romantic life. Often referred to as the “Fate” symphony, Tchaikovsky’s work earned its nickname from the composer’s own description alluding to powerful intensity and melodic beauty. Tchaikovsky distinctly characterizes each of the four movements—the first is a powerful and dramatic opening, while the second movement is a melancholy andantino. The third movement is a lively and energetic scherzo, and the fourth movement is a triumphant and heroic finale.
William Grant Still’s Symphony No. 1, “Afro-American,” composed in 1930, was the first symphony composed by an African American man to be performed by a major American orchestra. The piece established Still’s career as a major figure in American classical music. Inspired by African American spirituals, folk songs and traditional hymns, “Afro-American” is considered to be one of the greatest integrations of Black culture into classical forms.
The Estonian-born composer Arvo Pärt (born 1935) is largely known for a compositional style in contemporary classical music that he calls tintinnabuli developed in the 1970s, which was influenced by his experiences with chant music. Pärt was a great admirer of English composer Benjamin Britten and was severely affected by his death in 1976. Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten is his tribute, and an expression of regret that they never met in person. Estonian-born Neeme Järvi first performed this piece with the New Jersey Symphony in 2005.
Performances take place at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark on Saturday, March 25 at 8:00pm and Sunday, March 26 at 3:00pm. Tickets are available online at njsymphony.org or by phone at 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476).
Neeme Järvi
* Principal Conductor and Artistic Director (for lifetime): Estonian National Symphony Orchestra
* Director Emeritus: Detroit Symphony Orchestra
* Conductor Laureate: Royal Scottish National Orchestra
* Chief Conductor Emeritus: Gothenburg Symphony
* Guest Chief Conductor: Japan Philharmonic Orchestra
The head of a musical dynasty, Neeme Järvi is one of today’s most highly respected maestros. He conducts the world’s most prominent orchestras and works alongside soloists of the highest caliber. As a prolific recording artist, he has amassed a discography of over 500 recordings. In September 2018, Neeme Järvi received the Grammophone Lifetime Achievement Award.
Over his long and highly successful career he has held positions with orchestras across the world such as the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, New Jersey Symphony, and Residentie Orkest The Hague, among others. He holds the titles of Principal Conductor Emeritus of the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Conductor Laureate of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and Guest Chief Conductor of the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra.
He is one of the most recorded artists in his field. His records include critically acclaimed complete symphony cycles of Prokofiev, Shostakovich, Richard Strauss, Mahler, Dvořák, Glazunov, Grieg, Sibelius, Nielsen and Brahms. Recent releases on Chandos include Tchaikovsky’s complete ballets and symphonies.
Neeme Järvi has been honored with many international awards and accolades such as the Gramophone Lifetime Achievement Award (2018), the Echo Classical Award (Neeme Järvi with Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, 2017), and the International Record Prize Toblach in 1993 (Mahler Symphony No. 3, London Symphony Orchestra) and in 2011 (Mahler Symphony No. 7, Residentie Orkest The Hague). From his native country, he received an honorary doctorate from the Music and Theatre Academy and the Order of the National Coat of Arms from the President of the Republic of Estonia.
The Emmy and Grammy Award-winning New Jersey Symphony, celebrating its Centennial Season in October 2022, is redefining what it means to be a nationally leading, relevant orchestra in the 21st century. 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. Since 2021, Music Director Xian Zhang has worked together with composer, violinist, educator and social-justice advocate Daniel Bernard Roumain, the orchestra’s resident artistic catalyst, to offer programming that connects with diverse communities in Newark and throughout New Jersey.
Internationally renowned Chinese-American conductor Xian Zhang began her tenure as the New Jersey Symphony’s current Music Director in 2016. Since her arrival at the New Jersey Symphony, Zhang has revitalized programming with an industry-leading commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in mainstage concerts. The centennial season opened in October with concerts featuring Rachmaninoff’s Third Piano Concerto with soloist Yefim Bronfman; Jessie Montgomery’s Banner; Nimbus Dance performing original choreography to Copland’s Appalachian Spring Suite; Strauss’ Burleske for Piano and Orchestra with soloist Michelle Cann; Brahms’ Fourth Symphony; and Dorothy Chang’s Northern Star. The centennial season will conclude in June 2023 with Zhang leading the orchestra and violinist Joshua Bell in Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1, Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring and a commissioned world premiere by Daniel Bernard Roumain.
PHOTOS BY Fred Stucker
