• By Mabel Pais

The New Jersey Symphony (NJPAC) presents a special performance celebrating the Lunar New Year and ringing in the Year of the Dragon, featuring conductor Yue Bao and pianist Tony Siqi Yun, on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at 7:30 pm.

First developed by music director Xian Zhang in 2019, the Lunar New Year Celebration honors the start of the Chinese calendar by weaving together the best in classical music from the East and the West. Guest conductor Bao leads a program that includes “Yellow River Boatman’s Song” from Xian Xinghai’s ‘Yellow River Concerto,’ one of the most famous pieces to come from China in the 20th century, and ‘Spring Festival Overture’ by Li Huanzhi, who was influenced by Xian.

In addition to playing the ‘Yellow River Concerto’ selection, Yun will perform the “Allegramante” movement from Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G, showing the versatility of this rising star in classical music, who won the Gold Medal at the First China International Music Competition in 2019. The performance also includes selections from Huang Ruo’s ‘Folk Songs for Orchestra,’ Dvořák’s Slavonic Dance No. 8, Verdi’s “Va Pensiero” from Nabucco, and Zhou Tian’s ‘Gift.’

The Symphony will be joined by the Peking University (PKU) Alumni Chorus, which consists of former members of PKU’s student choir alongside singers from the Chinese community in New York and New Jersey. The evening will also feature a performance by the Edison Chinese School Lion Dance Team.

Pre-Concert Cultural Exchange

All Concert ticket holders are invited to attend a pre-concert Cultural Exchange Festival in the lobby with musical performances, crafters, demonstrations and more, starting at 6 pm.

More information and concert tickets are available njsymphony.org/lny.

Lunar New Year Celebration VIP Event

Patrons can enhance their concert experience with the Lunar New Year Celebration VIP Event. In addition to the concert, the VIP event adds early access to the pre-concert Cultural Exchange Festival preferred seating for the concert, an after-party with sumptuous desserts, and additional VIP perks such as a VIP reception before the concert and valet parking. More information and event tickets are available at njsymphony.org/lnycelebration.

PROGRAM

Pre-Concert Cultural Exchange Festival

Lobby – 6 pm

For more information and concert tickets are available njsymphony.org/lny.

2024 Lunar New Year Concert Celebration

Year of the Dragon

Yue Bao conductor

Tony Siqi Yun piano

Peking University Alumni Chorus

Edison Chinese School Lion Dance Team

New Jersey Symphony

Newark → Saturday, February 3, 7:30 pm, New Jersey Performing Arts Center

Li Huanzhi Spring Festival Overture

Xinghai “Yellow River Boatmen’s Song” from Yellow River Concerto

Ravel “Allegramente” from Piano Concerto in G

Ruo Huang Selections from Folk Songs for Orchestra

I. Flower Drum Song from Feng Yang
IV. Girl from the Da Ban City

Dvořák Slavonic Dance No. 8, Op. 46

Verdi “Va Pensiero” from Nabucco

Traditional Jasmine Flower Song

Zhou Tian Gift

For more information on concerts and tickets: njsymphony.org/events

2024 Lunar New Year Celebration VIP Event

Saturday, February 3 at 6 pm | New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark

Join the NJ Symphony in celebrating the Year of the Dragon at the New Jersey Symphony’s Lunar New Year Celebration VIP Event. The celebration continues the Symphony’s tradition, started by Music Director Xian Zhang, of blending music from East and West in a celebration of cultural collaboration. Net proceeds from this event will raise critical funds that support Xian Zhang’s artistic vision. You won’t want to miss it!

Your full-night VIP event ticket includes:

Pre-concert Cultural Exchange Festival with crafters from the Zhejiang province in China, musical performances on traditional Chinese instruments, dancers, singers and a Qipao fashion show!

Lunar New Year Celebration Concert with preferred seating (Under the baton of conductor Yue Bao, the Symphony will perform selections from Huang Ruo’s Folk Songs for Orchestra and Zhou Tian’s Gift, plus perennial favorites like Spring Festival Overture. Rising star pianist Tony Siqi Yun will perform selections from the Yellow River Concerto and Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G.)

After-Party with sumptuous desserts!

VIP perks such as access to an exclusive reception, valet parking and premier concert seating.

For more information, contact Jesse Goodale, Manager of Special Events, at events@njsymphony.org or at 973.735.1729.

TICKETS & MORE INFORMATION

For more information about the New Jersey Symphony, visit njsymphony.org or email information@njsymphony.org.

 Tickets can be purchased by phone 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476) or at njsymphony.org.

The New Jersey Symphony

The Emmy and Grammy Award-winning New Jersey Symphony is redefining what it means to be a nationally leading, relevant orchestra in the 21st century. The Symphony is renewing its deeply rooted commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion by championing new, and often local, artists; engaging audiences for whom the inspiring depth and breadth of classical music will be a new experience; and incorporating the broadest possible representation in all aspects of the Symphony’s organization-all to better reflect and serve its vibrant communities. Since 2021, Music Director Xian Zhang has worked together with composer, violinist, educator and social-justice advocate Daniel Bernard Roumain, the orchestra’s Resident Artistic Catalyst, to offer programming that connects with diverse communities in Newark and throughout New Jersey.

Connect with NJ Symphony:

njsymphony.org

@NJSymphony on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X, formerly known as Twitter

@NewJerseySymphony on YouTube

Email: information@njsymphony.org

(Mabel Pais writes on Social Issues, Spirituality, The Arts and Entertainment, Education, Cuisine, Health & Wellness, and Business)