On Friday,  May 16, 2025, the New Jersey Symphony presented a program they entitled “Xian Zhang Conducts Mozart” at Richardson Auditorium in Princeton University. 

Interestingly, the program had unifying themes of celebration,  joy, and happiness. Both works by Mozart were commissioned to celebrate events, while the 13 minute work by Michael Abels was titled Delights and Dances.

Eine Kleine Nachtmusik by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) began the evening. It enjoyed a spritely, driven reading courtesy of conductor and music director Xian Zhang. 

This was followed by the Concerto for Two Violins by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750).

 Concert Master Eric Wyrick and Principal Second Violin Francine Storck were the soloists. The orchestra gave their two colleagues a warm welcome, and both played beautifully. The audience agreed with their warm appreciation.

After intermission, Delights and Dances by Michael Abels (born 1962), was unexpectedly quite good. He is known primarily for his scores for Us and Get Out, both horror films by Jordan Peele. It is meant to celebrate diversity in concert music, and diverse it certainly was, as it featured four soloists along with the orchestra which positively went wild with extended pizzicato riffs. A novel and refreshing sound environment for the four soloists to explore Bluegrass, Blues, Jazz, and what Laurie Schulman in her Program Notes called a “rambustious” hoedown.

The program neglected to mention the continuo soloist in the Bach, as well as naming the four soloists in the Abels. Being the devoted professional, we followed the QR code for more information.  Alas, it was a repetition of the provided program notes. A pity, since all five played gloriously.

The Haffner Symphony concluded the evening with a taut, driven energy, which was also allowed occasional, rare, inner voices creating a breathless, bracing experience which allowed this Princeton audience to dance out of the theater as if walking on air.

The New Jersey Symphony season continues in Princeton with another concert in June. Other concerts also take place in a variety of venues in a variety of cities. For more information, visit www.njsymphony.org .

PROGRAM

Xian Zhang conductor
Eric Wyrick violin
Francine Storck violin
New Jersey Symphony

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Serenade for Strings, K. 525, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
I. Allegro
II. Romance: Andante
III. Menuetto: Allegretto
IV. Rondo: Allegro

Johann Sebastian Bach Concerto in D Minor for two violins, strings & continuo, BWV 1043
I. Vivace
II. Largo; ma non tanto
III. Allegro

Intermission

Michael Abels Delights and Dances for string quartet and string orchestra

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Symphony No. 35 in D, K. 385, “Haffner”
I. Allegro con spirito
II. Andante
III. Menuetto
IV. Presto