New Jersey Symphony: Xian Conducts Prokofiev & Strauss
About This Event
Conductor Xian Zhang leads the New Jersey Symphony in a program of Prokofiev and Richard Strauss at NJPAC. The New Jersey Symphony, a professional orchestra based in New Jersey, presents Prokofiev’s dance-inflected, rhythmically driven idiom alongside Strauss’s music, often cited for its bridge between late-Romantic and early-Modern orchestral practice. The lineup foregrounds contrasts in orchestral language under Zhang’s direction.
About Works by Prokofiev(symphony)
At NJPAC, conductor Xian Zhang leads the New Jersey Symphony in a program pairing Sergei Prokofiev with Richard Strauss, placing early‑20th‑century modernism beside late‑Romantic orchestral craft. Prokofiev’s music, shaped by hard-edged rhythms and a dancer’s sense of momentum, meets Strauss’s writing for large forces, where color and narrative impulse often push symphonic form toward the theatrical. Both composers have long histories in New York concert life, from Carnegie Hall to Lincoln Center, as reference points for how the orchestra changed between centuries. One clear takeaway is how differently each composer uses orchestral texture to make drama without words.
About the Artists
New Jersey Symphony
The New Jersey Symphony is a professional orchestra based in New Jersey, known for performing a wide range of classical and contemporary music.
Xian Zhang
Xian Zhang is a prominent conductor known for her work with various orchestras and her contributions to classical music.
Sergei Prokofiev
Step into the vibrant world of Sergei Prokofiev, where dance and music intertwine to create unforgettable experiences. Renowned for his masterful compositions, Prokofiev's works have captivated audiences worldwide, and his influence resonates deeply within New York City's cultural landscape.
Richard Strauss
Renowned for his profound contributions to the world of classical music, Richard Strauss captivates audiences with his masterful blend of emotional depth and complex orchestration. As a pivotal figure bridging the late Romantic and early Modern eras, Strauss has left an indelible mark on the musical landscape, often drawing comparisons to the likes of Wagner and Liszt.