the mommy avenger

This evening we attended a performance of Joshua Bell Leads the New Jersey Symphony. My, what a difference a conductor makes. We have witnessed this in the Philadelphia Orchestra, as they perform on another level when Yannick Nèzet-Séguin holds the baton. 

When one pays attention to he or she who holds the baton, the little changes show a significant impact that becomes noticeable. This evening we observed a conductor whose passion for the music imbued the musicians to play with increased emotional weight. 

This evening Joshua Bell conducted and soloed with the NJ Symphony. His direction of their performances of Mendelssohn and Beethoven’s masterworks took the orchestra to new heights of emotive playing and intensity. 

Mendelssohn’s Popular Overture to A Midsummers Night Dream was the first piece of the evening. The symphony played it with an edginess that propelled the piece forward and captured the craziness of the play after which it was named. One weakness of the conductor-performer became apparent at some parts of this piece as some members of the orchestra were rushing to keep time with the rest of the performers. Through the evening they warmed up and their capacity to read each other improved as the performance went on and as Joshua Bell stood up. 

Next we enjoyed Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor. This piece showcased Joshua Bell’s signature vibrato. The symphony managed the dynamics masterfully in order to showcase his play while still providing the body and structure of the piece to give it depth of character. 

After Intermission the symphony bounced through Beethoven’s Fourth Symphony. Easily the best performance of the evening from a critical eye as they played bigger than their size and with greater understanding of the composer’s humor and playful approach in this masterwork. 

The New Jersey Symphony continues to improve upon their performance as the season continues. There is another performance of Joshua Bell Leads the New Jersey Symphony at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown on December 3rd. There is also lots more in store during the 2023-2024 season, be sure to see what is next by visiting them online.

^{*we were invited to facilitate a feature, all opinions are our own*}