New Jersey Symphony Plays Paris: Fantasy And Discovery

Three weekends of concerts—conducted by two generations of Jarvis, Neeme and Kristjan—bring a piquant mix of old favorites and new discoveries from this fruitful period, justly known as the Belle Epoque “Beautiful Era.”

The Belle Epoque, a time of peace, technological advancement and cultural innovation throughout Europe, brought with it a flowering of creativity in French music. Drawing on a long tradition of elegant expression, meticulous craftsmanship and sensual instrumental color, French composers forged a distinct and captivating musical language. Toward the end of the 19th century, their innovations culminated in a series of masterpieces. Imagine hearing, within a few short years, the very first performances of SaintSaens’s Symphony No. 3 “Organ” (1886), Faure’s Pavane (1887), Franck’s Symphony in D Minor (1888), Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun (1894) and Dukas’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (1897).

All of these works will be heard in the Winter Festival, along with later scores by Ravel, Milhaud and Poulenc: evocative, often lighthearted music that formed a potent antidote to the troubled years between the two World Wars. Through it all, Paris was indeed a city of fantasy and discovery, a place where innovators and entrepreneurs gathered to bring new artistic visions to life. Each program of the 2009 Winter Festival offers a feast of Gallic delights:

• Week I, January 9–11: Jarvi and the Keyboard: MarcAndre

Hamelin, known for his artistry in French repertoire, takes the stage with Maestro Neeme Jarvi and the NJSO in two works: the rarelyheard Africa Fantasy by Camille SaintSaens and Maurice Ravel’s fascinating Piano Concerto for the Left Hand, originally written for pianist Paul Wittgenstein (brother of philosopher Ludwig). The program also includes Poulenc’s early ballet Les biches and SaintSaens’s magnificent Symphony No. 3, “Organ.”

Friday, January 9, (8 p.m.) and Sunday, January 11, (3 p.m.)
Saturday, January 10, (8 p.m.) at the State Theatre in New Brunswick.

• Week II, January 16–18: Majesty and Mischief: American soprano Pamela Armstrong, heard in starring roles at the Met and major houses throughout Europe, is luminous in the orchestral song cycle Sheherezade, a rarity from Ravel (not to be mistaken for RimskyKorsakov’s version), with Maestro Jarvi on the podium. Dukas’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice—forever associated with Walt Disney’s “Fantasia” and a certain mouse—is also on the program, along with Faure’s tender Pavane and Franck’s stately Symphony in D Minor.

Friday, January 16, and Saturday, January 17, (8 p.m.)
Sunday, January 18, (3 p.m.) at the State Theatre in New Brunswick.

• Week III, January 23–25: Idyllic Impressionism: Kristjan Jarvi leads the Orchestra in a program that ranges from the sensual reveries of Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun to the irresistible Brazilian rhythms of Milhaud’s Le boeuf sur le toit (originally composed for a silent Charlie Chaplin film) and Ravel’s stunning Daphnis and Chloe Suites Nos. 1 and 2. SaintSaens’s lively but infrequently heard Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso completes the program.

Friday, January 23, (8 p.m.) and Sunday, January 25, (3 p.m.)
Saturday, January 24, (3 p.m.) at the Community Theatre in Morristown.

Classical Conversations with guest conductor Kristjan Jarvi precede each concert and are free to all ticketholders. -- www.njsymphony.org