New Jersey Symphony presents Beethoven's Ninth Symphony with Xian Zhang

Sunday, April 06, 2025 @ 3:00pm

State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Xian Zhang conductor

Steven Banks saxophone

Felicia Moore soprano

Kelley O’Connor mezzo-soprano

Issachah Savage tenor

Reginald Smith Jr. baritone

Montclair State University Chorale | Heather J. Buchanan, director

New Jersey Symphony

Pytor Ilyich Tchaikovsky Polonaise from Eugene Onegin

A lavish ball scene, the dashing hero and heroine twirling in splendor—a fun, festive dance lifted from Tchaikovsky’s opera.

Billy Childs Saxophone Concerto

Inspired by Maya Angelou and other poets, Childs’ new concerto was written for the amazing Steven Banks, who says the music “follows the trajectory of the Black experience from Africa before slave trade to now, going forward in hope.”

Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony No. 9, “Choral”

The sheer volcanic power of Beethoven’s music makes the Ninth’s message soar. “Brotherhood! Joy!”—our world needs these clarion calls now more than ever.

The appearance of vocalists Felicia Moore, Kelley O’Connor, Issachah Savage and Reginald Smith Jr. is generously supported by Lisa and Matthew Winkler.