Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 11/01/2023
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Grammy Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell joins the New Jersey Symphony in concert in a program featuring Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto and Beethoven's Symphony No. 4. Performances take place Thursday, November 30 at 1:30pm and Friday, December 1 at 8:00pm at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark and Sunday, December 3 at 3:00pm at Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown.
The world-renowned artist will not only play the solo violin in the incredibly virtuosic violin concerto but will also lead the orchestra from the concertmaster’s chair during the entire program, including Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4, making Bell both the soloist and the conductor of the performances. The program includes Mendelssohn’s Overture to his opera, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, based on Shakespeare’s play.
Bell, an Indiana native who has been playing professionally since age 14, is currently on a world tour of major orchestras, including the New Jersey Symphony, and has just released a new album on Sony Classical, Butterfly Lovers. He recently commissioned a series of new works for violin and orchestra called The Elements, from composers Jake Heggie, Jennifer Higdon, Edgar Meyer, Jessie Montgomery, and Kevin Puts.
In addition to his busy concert career, Bell is Music Director of the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, a chamber orchestra based in London.
Tickets are available for purchase online or by calling 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476). The Symphony invites all ticketholders to attend a free classical conversation starting one hour before the performance on Friday, December 1 at 7:00pm and Sunday, December 3 at 2:00pm. Learn more about the music from New Jersey Symphony musicians, guest artists and other engaging insiders.
The Emmy and Grammy Award-winning New Jersey Symphony is redefining what it means to be a nationally leading, relevant orchestra in the 21st century. The Symphony is renewing its 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 a new experience; 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.
Joshua Bell Leads the New Jersey Symphony
Joshua Bell conductor and violin
New Jersey Symphony
Newark → Thursday, November 30, 1:30pm, New Jersey Performing Arts Center
Newark → Friday, December 1, 8:00pm, New Jersey Performing Arts CenterMorristown → Sunday, December 3, 3 pm, Mayo Performing Arts Center
Mendelssohn Overture to A Midsummer Night’s DreamMendelssohn Violin Concerto
Beethoven Symphony No. 4
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. In its second century of bringing concerts to the people of New Jersey, the Symphony will present audience favorites in 2023–24 including Orff's Carmina Burana, Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, and pianist Daniil Trifonov playing Gershwin's Concerto in F. New Jersey Symphony co-commissions include Anna Clyne's ATLAS. Composers Rob Kapilow and Daniel Bernard Roumain will present world premieres.
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