Dmitry Sitkovetsky to Join New Jersey Symphony Orchestra for MEDITATION, 11/14-17

Conductor and violinist Dmitry Sitkovetsky makes his New Jersey Symphony Orchestra debut in a program featuring works by Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev and Stravinsky, November 14-17 in Newark and New Brunswick. Sitkovetsky both conducts and solos in Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 1 and Tchaikovsky's Médiation; he conducts Prokofiev's Symphony No. 1 and Stravinsky's Pulcinella Suite.

Sitkovetsky's "play-conduct" role creates a distinct musical experience. Music Director Jacques Lacombe says: "To have an artist play and conduct goes back to the origins of music making-that is, gathering and making music together. It gives the performance the feeling of chamber music."

Acting as both a violinist and a conductor changes the performance. "Having a soloist who is also leading and conducting the Orchestra makes everyone on stage listen differently and react differently," Jacques says. "You really have to act like chamber musicians within a big ensemble."

Performances take place on Thursday, November 14, (1:30 pm) and Saturday, November 16, (8 pm) at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark and Sunday, November 17, (3 pm) at the State Theatre in New Brunswick. A free Classical Conversation about the music on the program begins one hour before the November 16 performance in Newark and the November 17 performance in New Brunswick.

Tickets start at $20 and are available for purchase online at www.njsymphony.org or by phone at 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476).