As part of their centennial celebration, the New Jersey Symphony is inviting past music directors back to help ring in its 100th season
. Hugh Wolff led the orchestra from 1985 to 1993, but hasn’t conducted them in two decades. With about 20 members of the symphony from his tenure still playing, Wolff appeared to feel right at home with his old band.
In both this curtain raiser—and the ensuing Mozart work—the string section excelled, performing with clarity and decisiveness. The Mozart that followed was the Piano Concerto No. 25 in C Major, and they were joined in this by Grammy-winning soloist Richard Goode. The piano doesn’t enter until relatively late in the opening allegro maestoso, so Wolff and band had about three minutes where they played Mozart in the same heroic fashion as the Beethoven.
After intermission, Wolff conducted a playful, jazzy rendition of Ravel’s “La Valse,” making the 102-year-old piece sound appropriately modern . In Wolff’s hands, it felt like a sonic hall of mirrors, spiky and rousing, featuring virtuoso playing by harpists, Stacey Shames and Elizabeth DiFelice.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New Jersey Devils emerge victorious, 3-2, in third-period nail-biter over FlyersFlyers' center Lukáš Sedlák cut the Devils’ lead to one point in the the third period as winger Zack MacEwen screened Devils goalie Akira Schmid. However, their efforts weren’t enough.
Read more »
New Jersey native has won 20 consecutive games on 'Jeopardy!'This week we'll see if a New Jersey man can keep his win streak alive on 'Jeopardy!'
Read more »
20 fast food chains we wish were in New JerseyNew Jersey is overrun with fast food chains, but here are 14 we wish were in the Garden State
Read more »
New Jersey woman pivots during pandemic to follow her dreams of floristryMeet the Montclair woman who pivoted during the pandemic to follow her dreams of opening a flower shop. JohnBDias shares her story:
Read more »