New Jersey Symphony Opens 2025 with Star-Studded International Concert at NJPAC
At Newark’s Performing Arts Center, pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet wowed audiences as the New Jersey Symphony kicked off its 2025 season. His brilliant performance of Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G Major sparkled under guest conductor Kevin John Edusei’s leadership. Regular conductor Xian Zhang couldn’t make it while conducting Puccini’s “Tosca” at the Met.
The evening’s music spanned borders with impressive style. It began with “Of Rats and Men,” a Kafka-inspired work by South Korea’s Donghoon Shin. Leading the orchestra, Edusei blended sounds from three countries before closing with Sibelius’s powerful Second Symphony from Finland.
On stage, Thibaudet’s playing created chemistry with concertmaster Eric Wyrick and harpist Lynette Wardle. He turned heads too: His gothic tuxedo matched with a Vivienne Westwood shirt got people talking.
Major changes are coming this March as Terry D. Loftis takes over as president and CEO. The upcoming season features highlights like Latin jazz star Paquito D’Rivera and a special presentation of Holst’s “The Planets — An HD Odyssey.” Min Kwon teams up with the Peking University Alumni Chorus for an upcoming Lunar New Year performance. This matches perfectly with the group’s talent for blending musical styles.
While the Newark venue remains their main home, performances are spread across halls throughout New Jersey. Each concert adds another layer to the state’s vibrant arts community.
