Friday, January 9, 2026, was a moist and balmy night. It also happened to be when the New Jersey Symphony had its next concert at the Richardson Auditorium at Princeton University. 

The program, called “Randall Goosby Returns,” was an interesting and varied one, starting with Jean Sibelius’ Finlandia, followed by Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto, and ending with Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Second Symphony. 

This evening,  we were treated to an hour-long Classical Conversation, featuring Randall Goosby, tonight’s violin soloist. Mr Goosby is young, and supremely talented. We surmise that if he was 24 when he signed a contract in 2020, he must be 30 years old. He has a slim, boyish demeanor as he spoke of one of his teachers, Itzhak Perlman, and his teacher’s reputed dislike of practicing for hours each day. Mr. Goosby noted that Mr. Perlman has been performing since childhood, so he’s had plenty of time playing. After he left the stage to ready himself for performing,  we were left with the moderator who spoke at length about the music. Fielding questions from the audience, he explained why this Tchaikovsky Second Symphony had been called “Little Russian,” but now is called “Ukrainian.” It so happened that in Tchaikovsky’s day, Ukraine had been called Little Russia.  Of course, that was when the country was under Tsarist subjugation. It is now properly named Ukrainian.

Notable is the fact that both Mr. Barber and Mr. Tchaikovsky were outstandingly gay historic figures. (Mr. Sibelius? Unknown). Having them together on one program is quite rare. We also read in the program notes that all three pieces had been revised later after their initial premieres. An exciting programming idea. We were also informed by the Moderator that one can possibly listen to the original and rewritten compositions on YouTube. 

Finlandia began the program. A piece not often played, it was novel and thrilling to hear the orchestra playing it with such brio and joy. Kudos to the orchestra and to conductor Xian Zhang. 

Next was Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto. Mr. Goosby was the soloist. He played with extreme polish and effect, making every daredevil turn seem simple. Acclaim for his excellent playing, and the inspired orchestral playing received great acclaim. So much so that Mr. Goosby returned for an encore playing Bach.

Tchaikovsky’s Second Symphony concluded the program. Yet again, fire and energy, folk tunes ingeniously magnified, and sublimely played. Absolutely wonderful.

There was a different configuration in orchestral positioning. Kettle drums were now at the left side of the stage, with the other drums, rather than the right. Double basses were moved deeper into the stage where the drums had been. Very interesting that many audience members didn’t realize that there had been changes even in this intimate theatre.

To these ears, this entire concert seemed alive and vital, and a truly spectacular evening.

The New Jersey Symphony season continues at Princeton with future concerts on March 14, May 15, and June 5. Other venues and other concerts, too.

For more information, visit www.njsymphony.org .