New Jersey Symphony: Joshua Bell Leads Mendelssohn?s ?Italian?
About This Event
Violinist and conductor Joshua Bell leads the New Jersey Symphony in a performance of Felix Mendelssohn's "Italian" at NJPAC. Mendelssohn, a central composer of the early Romantic era, provides the program's historical frame. The lineup—Bell with the New Jersey Symphony—highlights the interplay between soloistic presence and orchestral direction.
About Symphony No. 4, 'Italian'(symphony)
Felix Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4, nicknamed the “Italian,” grows out of the composer’s travels, translating impressions of sunlit streets and religious processions into early-Romantic orchestral writing. It entered New York’s musical life in the 19th century as part of the city’s push to build a European symphonic repertory, and it has remained a staple ever since. At NJPAC, violinist-conductor Joshua Bell leads the New Jersey Symphony in a reading that draws on his dual experience at the front of the stage and on the podium. One clear strength of the score is how its final movement turns dance rhythms into propulsion rather than decoration.
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.
Felix Mendelssohn
Step into the world of Felix Mendelssohn, a luminary of the early Romantic era whose music continues to captivate audiences with its lyrical beauty and emotional depth. Known for his mastery across a range of compositions—from symphonies to chamber music—Mendelssohn's work resonates with a timeless elegance.