New Jersey Symphony: Xian Conducts Prokofiev & Strauss
About This Event
The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, a professional ensemble known for performing a wide range of classical and contemporary repertoire, performs at NJPAC under conductor Xian Zhang. The program juxtaposes Sergei Prokofiev’s rhythmic, dance-inflected writing with Richard Strauss’s late-Romantic, densely orchestrated works, highlighting contrasts in texture and harmonic language across early twentieth-century repertoire.
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.
New Jersey Symphony Orchestra
The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra is a premier ensemble that brings world-class classical music to vibrant cities across the state, including Newark, Princeton, Red Bank, New Brunswick, and Morristown.
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.