The New Jersey Symphony outdid its usually fine musicianship this night. All three works were intensely and lovingly played, engaging the audience from the first notes of the evening to the last. Beginning with a vibrant overture from Berlioz, to the absolutely magnificent ATLAS, to a thrilling Eroica, this concert will surely be fondly remembered for years to come.

 

Markus Stenz was the guest conductor. Among his mentors were Leonard Bernstein and Seiji Ozawa. He is the Principal Guest Conductor of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, with affiliations to other orchestras. He has conducted many operas abroad, making his operatic conducting debut in 1988 at Teatro La Fenice, and he conducted many and various operas elsewhere. He will in the future conduct Richard Strauss and Wagner at Teatro La Fenice.

 

The Roman Carnival Overture by Hector Berlioz (1803-1869) was stunning. Every note was impeccable; every melody heartfelt; the audience swooned with delight. Dare we hope that Maestro Stenz will return to lead the orchestra in Symphonie Fantastique or Beatrice et Benedict?! Yes, we can hope.

 

Next on the program was Anna Clyne’s ATLAS, a New Jersey Symphony Co-Commission. Jeremy Denk, an artist famed for his rapturous pianism, was the piano soloist. Ms. Clyne named her four movements Volumes, since they were inspired by the four volumes of the collected works of German artist Gerhard Richter. Banish all preconceptions of foursquare compositions in the modern idiom. ATLAS was fresh, inventive, and inviting, mesmerizing our attention to its many beauties. Indeed, the composer drank Maurice Ravel’s Kool-Aid, with some Bartok and Bernstein stirred in. Pianist Jeremy Denk dared to excite us further, with excellent technique and loving bravado. The intricacies of the score held no obstacles for this handsome young man throughout. It is no wonder that the audience poured their acclaim upon him like a waterfall, with him responding by playing an encore, a piece by Scott Joplin. The orchestra, Mr. Denk, Ms. Clyne, and Maestro Stenz were all brilliant. 

 

The program concluded with Beethoven’s Third Symphony. From the opening chords, the audience sensed that this would be a special occasion. Excitement, tempo, melody, and splendor never flagged. The conductor allowed the trumpets to soar unchecked when those moments were required. The rest of the orchestra played as if they were already in Heaven. 

 

What an evening! What an orchestra! What a conductor! An inspired and inspiring program.

 

The New Jersey Symphony continues its season at several venues throughout New Jersey. Another concert remains in Princeton as well. For information, visit …

www.njsymphony.org .