A New Talent and an Old Friend

(Conductor Xian Zhang in her dressing room at the Majestic)

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(Soloist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg after her Saturday performance)
May 4th and 5th, the symphony was led by conductor Xian Zhang, the newly appointed Associate Conductor of the New York Philharmonic. Beginning the concert, the symphony performed a work by Chen Yi entitled Momentum. “In her preface to the score, Chen Yi describes the work’s meaning:

‘The composition was inspired by the power of the ancient totems, the tension of the breathing lava (before it breaks up to flow), and the gesture of the exaggerated dancing lines in Chinese calligraphy. This energetic, dramatic and forceful calligraphy made such a deep impression on me that I wanted to translate it into music, as a metaphor for the flourish contemporary music is making in our society’.”

(quote taken from Orpheus Music Prose & Craig Doolin at www.orpheusnotes.com)

Next on the program was Bach’s Concerto in A minor for Violin and Orchestra, BWV 1041 and the Concerto in E Major for Violin and Orchestra, BWV 1042. Nadja performed superbly. Last on the program was Schumann’s Symphony No. 1 in B-flat Major, the “Spring” Symphony. With great command and tangible energy, Xian led the orchestra in a moving performance of Schumann. Both evenings the audience so warmly gave Xian and the orchestra a standing ovation.

Backstage Humor: Sheriff Jeremy Moeller (trombonist) is laying down the law backstage.