New Jersey Festival Orchestra Opens With Renowned Symphonic Favorites

submitted by the New Jersey Festival Orchestra

Join New Jersey Festival Orchestra for a dramatic season opening performance entitled Empires Fall, presenting two iconic orchestral masterpieces composed at the sunsets of the Russian and British Empires.The concert kicks off with one of the crown jewels of the piano repertoire, Tchaikovsky’s epic Piano Concerto No.1, written in the twilight years of the Russian Empire.

Demanding virtuosity and superb technique to deliver its pounding parallel chords and rapid finger work, Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece is in the skillful hands of internationally acclaimed, award winning guest pianist Yoonie Han.The entire second half of the concert presents the inter-galactic conflict of Holst’s The Planets,composed at the waning of British colonial might.

Drums beat and battle horns blast as Mars, the Bringer of War, leads off this much loved astrologically themed musical tour of the solar system.Continued NJFO Music Director David Wroe, “This concert promises to be nothing short of an artistic and historical threshold heralding the beginning of World War I.”

The not-to-be-missed season opening concerts have been made possible through the generous support of the Joseph DeAlessandso Memorial Foundation, the NJ State Council on the Arts, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, and The Westfield Foundation.

This concert has also been made possible through the generosity of longstanding patron and former NJFO board member Keith S. Hertell of Westfield.EMPIRES FALL takes place on Saturday, September 20th at 7 p.m. at Ridge Performing Arts Center (Ridge High School), Basking Ridge and on Sunday, September 21 at 4 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church in Westfield.

Tickets range in price from $25 to $75 with a special discount price of $13 for students. Westfield ticket holders are invited to attend a free pre-concert lecture by Dr Barbara Thomson 45 minutes prior to the performance in the Presbyterian Church Chapel.

Tickets for both performances as well as season ticket packages with discounts of up to 25% are available for purchase on line at www.njfestivalorchestra.org and by phone at 908 232 9400 (Westfield performance) or 973 408 3978 (Basking Ridge performance).